Textual thesaurus for "misuse"

(noun) abuse

improper or excessive use

alcohol abuse; the abuse of public funds

(verb) abuse, pervert

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

(verb) misapply

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