misuse
mis‧use1 /ˌmɪsˈjuːz/ 
verb [transitive]
SYN abuse:
Even harmless drugs can be misused.
The term ‘schizophrenia’ is often misused.
There is concern that the judges might misuse their power.
2. to treat someone badly or unfairly ⇨ abuse
mis‧use2 /mɪsˈjuːs/ noun [uncountable and countable]
SYN abuse:
a system designed to prevent credit card misuse
drug/alcohol misuse
Children who begin smoking when young are at greater risk from drugs misuse.
misuse of
a scandalous misuse of public funds
| I |
verb [transitive] Word Family: noun: usage, use, disuse, misuse, reuse, usefulness ≠ uselessness, user; adjective: reusable, used ≠ unused, disused, useful ≠ useless, usable ≠ unusable; verb: use, misuse, reuse; adverb: usefully ≠ uselessly
1. to use something for the wrong purpose, or in the wrong way, often with harmful results SYN abuse:
2. to treat someone badly or unfairly ⇨ abuse
| II |
noun [uncountable and countable] Word Family: noun: usage, use, disuse, misuse, reuse, usefulness ≠ uselessness, user; adjective: reusable, used ≠ unused, disused, useful ≠ useless, usable ≠ unusable; verb: use, misuse, reuse; adverb: usefully ≠ uselessly
the use of something in the wrong way or for the wrong purpose SYN abuse:
drug/alcohol misuse
misuse of