misemploy

[ mis-em-ploi ]

verb (used with object)

1. to use for the wrong purpose; use wrongly or improperly; misuse.

Other Words From

• misem·ployment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of misemploy¹

First recorded in 1600–10; mis- ¹ + employ

Example Sentences

To turn one of his colonels into my Spanish master would be seriously to misemploy his precious time.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blow
• consume
• deplete
• dissipate
• divert
• drain
• exhaust
• lavish
• lose
• misuse
• squander
• undermine