Definition of "misapply" [mis•ap•ply]

• To use or apply wrongly. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• ""When servicers misapply payments, lose paperwork, file incorrect foreclosure affidavits, or simply do not answer the phone or make available knowledgeable staffpersons, there are consequences to the consumer," she said."
• "But consumers can still misapply a self-tanner, resulting in a look that screams fake-bake."
• "Just as troublesome as managers who still subscribe to Theory X, are those who misapply Theory Y."