misapplication

noun

mis·​ap·​pli·​ca·​tion ˌmis-ˌa-plə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce misapplication (audio)
plural misapplications
1
: the act or an instance of applying something incorrectly or improperly
a misapplication of the law
herbicide misapplication
2
: the act or an instance of misusing or spending something (such as public money) without proper authority
… a bank president was convicted of misapplication after he programmed the bank's computer not to debit his personal checking account when it would otherwise have been overdrawn.Stanley S. Arkin

Examples of misapplication in a Sentence

this silly gossiping is a serious misapplication of your time
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Matthew Mixon, 38, pled guilty in December to misapplication of fiduciary property, according to court documents. Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Mar. 2025 The misapplication of good friction can turn it bad and result in one more cumbersome process you’re tempted to work around. Josh Browning, Big Think, 12 Feb. 2025 Among the soldiers is a cluster of combat veterans, many trained in allied countries, who voice concern about the misapplication of their battlefield expertise. Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Feb. 2025 This appears to be no more complicated than an application (perhaps a misapplication) of human courtesies to the canine world. Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 27 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for misapplication

Word History

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of misapplication was in 1607

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Cite this Entry

“Misapplication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/misapplication. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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