Standard Lemma guide

misused

adj · verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /mɪsˈjuːzd/
  • CMU ARPABET: M IH0 S Y UW1 Z D Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Used in an incorrect or inappropriate manner.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The oft misused word didn't mean what he thought it meant, but everyone else misunderstood it too.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

simple past and past participle of misuse

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: form-of, participle, past

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adjective

Meaning 3

used incorrectly or carelessly or for an improper purpose

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • misused words are often laughable but one weeps for misused talents

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: used

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Ancient Greek: καταχρηστικός (katakhrēstikós) — used in an incorrect or inappropriate manner
  • Latin: abūsīvus — used in an incorrect or inappropriate manner