misuse

/mɪsˈjuːs/

Etymology

From mis- + use (noun).

misuse means An incorrect, improper or unlawful use of something. Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 71 out of 100.

noun

An incorrect, improper or unlawful use of something.“The Queen may be celebrating her jubilee but the Queen's English Society, which has railed against the misuse and deterioration of the English language, is to fold.”

verb

To use (something) incorrectly.
To abuse or mistreat (something or someone).
To rape (a woman); later more generally, to sexually abuse (someone).““If that is true she would be the first case I have ever heard of, as most female captives are misused by the entire tribe.””
To abuse verbally, to insult.“Socrates was brought upon the stage by Aristophanes, and misused to his face: but he laughed, as if it concerned him not […].”