misuse

Universal Words noun, verb noun [U,C,usually sing.] the act of using sth in a dishonest way or for the wrong purpose: alcohol / drug misuse * the misuse of power / authority * a misuse of public funds verb [VN] 1 to use sth in the wrong way or for the wrong purpose: individuals who misuse power for their own ends 2 to treat sb badly and/or unfairly