Definition of misapplynext
as in to misuse
to put to a bad or improper use you've misapplied the theorem to certain problems that require a different formula kids who misapply their boundless energy and get into trouble

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of misapply First, if a bull market means to you that stocks are trending unequivocally upward, then, no, the bull market label is being misapplied right now. Jeff Sommer, New York Times, 16 June 2023 Democrats in Tallahassee say the program isn’t just bad policy, it was misapplied to move migrants from Texas. Todd J. Gillman, Dallas News, 7 June 2023 O'Shea said the study's findings have often been misinterpreted or misapplied since its publication. Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 2 June 2023 Ioniţă still has both qualities in equal measure, but they were sorely misapplied in his performance of Dvořák’s cello concerto. Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2023 See All Example Sentences for misapply
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misapply
Verb
  • The complaint asks Bonta to investigate whether charitable funds were diverted for Miranda’s personal benefit and recover any money found to have been misused.
    Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Look for unfamiliar accounts or other signs that your information may have been misused.
    Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The City Council instructed the city attorney to regulate phenibut, a drug that’s available at gas stations and being abused as a nervous system depressant.
    Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Communities from Lansing, Michigan, to Pflugerville, Texas, are ending their relationship with Flock, largely over concerns regarding out-of-control surveillance, unwanted data sharing, high expenses, and reports of police abusing the tool.
    Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Misapply.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misapply. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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