Definition

To use something in a wrong or incorrect way.

Example

If you misapply the rules, you might get a different result than expected.

Tense Forms

Conversation

I think I might have misapply the rules in our game last night.

What happened? Did you change something important?

Yeah, I forgot to follow the scoring system correctly.

No worries, it happens! We can just clarify it for next time.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Misapply → It is formed from "mis-" (meaning wrongly) and "apply" (from Latin "applicare", meaning to put to use). The word "misapply" means to put something to use in a wrong or inappropriate way.

Memory Tip

Think of doing something 'wrongly' ('mis-') when you 'put to use' ('apply') something — that's why misapply means to use something incorrectly.

Visually Confused Words