misuse

noun

1
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
2
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

Also useful for “misuse”:Unscrambler— Rearrange the letters in “misuse”