The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word MISUSING
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
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More clues leading to the result MISUSING
- Contemplation about one’s wasting
- Thinking about one section treating ill
- Contemplation about lives showing ill-treatment
- Not on target about university failing to follow the instructions
- Behaving badly to young lady in graduation initially entertains university
- American is overwhelmed by serenade after note distorting
Buddy explains!
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does MISUSING mean?
MISUSING verb- To use (something) incorrectly.
- To abuse or mistreat (something or someone).
- To rape (a woman); later more generally, to sexually abuse (someone).
- To abuse verbally, to insult.