Commonly misused words are those that have been repeated so much that  it is the incorrect interpretation of the word that becomes the ‘accepted’ meaning.  Commonly misused words like random and literally, for example, are now understood to mean exactly the opposite of what they actually mean.  Many other words are misused because they sound like a word that is the one that we actually meant to use. Here are words that you’ve heard your friends mis-use, you have heard in political speeches, on news broadcasts, in songs and movie dialogue.  This is what we think they mean, and what they actually mean:

commonly misused words

random
Thought to mean: quirky, unexpected, or strange, this very commonly misused word actually means:
made, done, happening, or chosen without method or conscious decision.
literally
Thought to mean:  indicating something with strong emphasis
Means: To indicate that something actually happened
ironic
What you may think it means: a funny coincidence
What it actually means: contrary to what you might expect
peruse
What you may think it means: to skim or glance over something
What it actually means: to review something carefully/in-depth
bemused
What you may think it means: amused
What it actually means: confused
compelled
What you may think it means: to have an urge to do something
What it actually means: to be forced to do something (willingly or unwillingly)
nauseous
What you may think it means: to feel sick
What it actually means: to cause someone to feel sick, to cause nausea
redundant
What you may think it means: repetitive
What it actually means: not necessary, able to be cut out
enormity
What you may think it means: enormousness
What it actually means: extreme evil
terrific
What you may think it means: awesome, fantastic
What it actually means: causing terror

Commonly misused words are those that have been repeated so much that  it is the incorrect interpretation of the word that becomes the ‘accepted’ meaning. What commonly misused words do you find you or others say a lot?