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Misuse vs Exploit - What's the difference?

misuse | exploit |

In transitive terms the difference between misuse and exploit

is that misuse is to abuse or mistreat (something or someone) while exploit is to use for one’s own advantage.

misuse

English

Etymology 1

(mis-) +

Noun

(en noun)
  • An incorrect, improper or unlawful use of something.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2012 , date=June 4 , author=Lewis Smith , title=Queen's English Society says enuf is enough, innit? , work=the Guardian citation , page= , passage=The Queen may be celebrating her jubilee but the Queen's English Society, which has railed against the misuse and deterioration of the English language, is to fold.}}

    Etymology 2

    From (mis-) +

    Verb

    (misus)
  • To use (something) incorrectly.
  • To abuse or mistreat (something or someone).
  • (obsolete) To abuse verbally, to insult.
  • *, II.3.7:
    • Socrates was brought upon the stage by Aristophanes, and misused to his face: but he laughed, as if it concerned him not […].

    exploit

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A heroic or extraordinary deed.
  • An achievement.
  • (computing) A program or technique that exploits a vulnerability in other software.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To use for one’s own advantage.

    • Synonyms

    * take advantage of,