abuse

[uh-byooz, uh-byoos]

verb (used with object)

abused, abusing 

1. to use wrongly or improperly; misuse.

   to abuse one's authority.

   Synonyms: misapply

2. to treat in a harmful, injurious, or offensive way.

   to abuse a horse; to abuse one's eyesight.

   Synonyms: hurt, harm, injure, maltreat, ill-use

3. to speak insultingly, harshly, and unjustly to or about; revile; malign.

   Synonyms: scold, berate, vituperate, vilify, traduce, calumniate, defame, slander
   Antonyms: praise

4. to commit sexual assault upon.

5. Obsolete.,  to deceive or mislead.

noun

1. wrong or improper use; misuse.

   the abuse of privileges.

   Synonyms: misapplication

2. harshly or coarsely insulting language.

   The officer heaped abuse on his men.

   Synonyms: aspersion, slander
   Antonyms: praise

3. bad or improper treatment; maltreatment.

   The child was subjected to cruel abuse.

4. a corrupt or improper practice or custom.

   the abuses of a totalitarian regime.

5. rape or sexual assault.

6. Obsolete.,  deception.

abuse

verb

1. to use incorrectly or improperly; misuse

2. to maltreat, esp physically or sexually

3. to speak insultingly or cruelly to; revile

4. (reflexive) to masturbate

noun

1. improper, incorrect, or excessive use; misuse

2. maltreatment of a person; injury

3. insulting, contemptuous, or coarse speech

4. an evil, unjust, or corrupt practice

5. See child abuse

6. archaic,  a deception

Other Word Forms

• abusable adjective
• abuser noun
• antiabuse adjective
• overabuse noun
• unabusable adjective
• unabused adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of abuse¹

First recorded in 1400–50; (for the noun) late Middle English abus, from Middle French, from Latin abūsus “misuse, waste,” noun use of past participle of abūtī “to use up, misuse,” from ab- ab- + ūtī “to use, employ, enjoy”; use; verb derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of abuse¹

c14 (vb): via Old French from Latin abūsus, past participle of abūtī to misuse, from _ab- ¹ + ūtī to _use

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. abuse oneself, to masturbate.

Synonym Study

Abuse, censure, invective all mean strongly expressed disapproval. Abuse implies an outburst of harsh and scathing words against another (often one who is defenseless): abuse directed against an opponent. Censure implies blame, adverse criticism, or hostile condemnation: severe censure of acts showing bad judgment. Invective applies to strong but formal denunciation in speech or print, often in the public interest: invective against graft.

Example Sentences

It has, she argues, been at the forefront of challenging the state's treatment of victims of awful abuses.

Read more on BBC

Yet he was embroiled in an ugly legal conflict with a neighbor in his apartment complex that included accusations of abuse and drug use.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Even some lead generation companies recognize that AI could be abused by some agencies and bring the ads for the industry into dangerous, uncharted waters.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The erasure of parents from the oral arguments had a clear, cynical purpose: To hide the fact that, ultimately, conversion therapy is a form of child abuse.

Read more on Salon

Human rights groups have since accused the army of committing abuses against civilians while tackling the militants, and also cracking down on political dissent and freedom of expression.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• beat up 
• corrupt 
• harm 
• impair 
• maltreat 
• mistreat 
• misuse 
• molest 
• persecute 
• victimize 
• violate 

When To Use

What does abuse mean?

Warning: This article involves discussion of the sensitive topics of physical and emotional abuse and substance abuse. If you or someone you know needs support, please visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline site to chat or call the hotline at 1-800-799-7233. For support with substance abuse, call the National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.The verb abuse most commonly means to mistreat and cause harm to a person or an animal.The noun abuse refers to such mistreatment. The victim of the abuse or the kind of abuse is often specified before the word, as in child abuse, spousal abuse, animal abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse.A person who abuses someone can be called an abuser, and such a person is said to be abusive.Abuse can also be used as a verb meaning to misuse something or as a noun meaning misuse—referring to the overuse or improper use of things. This sense of the word is especially seen in the phrases alcohol abuse, drug abuse, substance abuse, and abuse of power.As a verb, abuse is pronounced uh-BYOOZ. As a noun, it’s pronounced uh-BYOOS. This same pronunciation pattern is seen in the verb and noun forms of the word use (which rhyme with the verb and noun forms of abuse, respectively).Example: Just because it’s not physical doesn’t mean it’s not abuse—emotional abuse can leave its own scars.​