To apply wrongly; to use for a wrong purpose; as, to misapply a name or title; to misapply public money
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"
If something is misapplied, it is used for a purpose for which it is not intended or not suitable. Many lines from Shakespeare's plays are misquoted and misapplied The law had been misapplied. = misused. to use something incorrectly or for a wrong purpose
If you talk about the misapplication of something, you mean it is used for a purpose it was not intended for. He's charged with conspiracy, misapplication of funds and other crimes. a common misapplication of the law. = misuse