misuse

Noun

• improper or excessive use
  • alcohol abuse
    
  • the abuse of public funds
    

Verb

• change the inherent purpose or function of something
  • Don't abuse the system
    
  • The director of the factory misused the funds intended for the health care of his workers
    

• apply to a wrong thing or person; apply badly or incorrectly
  • The words are misapplied in this context
    
  • You are misapplying the name of this religious group
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  abuse , pervert , misapply