abuse

[ verb uh-byooz; noun uh-byoos ]

verb (used with object)

, a·bused, a·bus·ing.

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: traduce, calumniate, defame, slander, scold, berate, vituperate, vilify

   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

Derived Forms

• aˈbuser, noun

Other Words From

• a·bus·a·ble [uh, -, byoo, -z, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
• a·buser noun
• anti·a·buse adjective
• over·a·buse noun verb (used with object) overabused overabusing
• una·busa·ble adjective
• una·bused 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

These were cops who had worked the protests and suffered the accompanying verbal taunts and abuse.

From The Daily Beast

You get these high-profile people that go into prison, and the staff abuse their authority.

From The Daily Beast

When they get someone high profile, like the governor [Bob McDonnell] or like Teresa, they will abuse their positions.

From The Daily Beast

Perhaps one of the most egregious examples is the abuse of civil asset forfeiture laws.

From The Daily Beast

It needs to be said: bigotry in the name of religion is still bigotry; child abuse wrapped in a Bible verse is still child abuse.

From The Daily Beast

Quaint old Burton in his "Anatomy of Melancholy," recognizes the virtues of the plant while he anathematizes its abuse.

From Project Gutenberg

He shan't marry me without your consent, so don't be angry and abuse us all; for which you will be sorry an hour hence.

From Project Gutenberg

Notwithstanding, they bear with much patience a great deal of abuse from unkind masters.

From Project Gutenberg

This abuse, as the years went on, instead of diminishing grew in strength if not in grace.

From Project Gutenberg

On the other hand directors are not permitted to abuse their power; they must act in good faith.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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