1. to award or grant something incorrectly or to the wrong recipient
Usage: formal; often used in legal or administrative contexts

Examples

• The committee was accused of misawarding the scholarship to an ineligible candidate.
• If the judge misawards damages, the verdict may be overturned on appeal.
• The university had to correct its records after misawarding several degrees.
• Misawarding contract bids can result in legal consequences for the agency.
• The panel worked carefully to avoid misawarding the prize to the wrong applicant.