abuse

[ verb uh-byooz; noun uh-byoos ]

/ verb əˈbyuz; noun əˈbyus /

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See synonyms for: abuse / abused / abusing / abuser on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), a·bused, a·bus·ing.

to use wrongly or improperly; misuse: to abuse one's authority.

to treat in a harmful, injurious, or offensive way: to abuse a horse; to abuse one's eyesight.

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

to commit sexual assault upon.

Obsolete. to deceive or mislead.

noun

wrong or improper use; misuse: the abuse of privileges.

harshly or coarsely insulting language: The officer heaped abuse on his men.

bad or improper treatment; maltreatment: The child was subjected to cruel abuse.

a corrupt or improper practice or custom: the abuses of a totalitarian regime.

rape or sexual assault.

Obsolete. deception.

OTHER WORDS FOR abuse

1 misapply.

2 ill-use, maltreat, injure, harm, hurt.

3 vilify, vituperate, berate, scold; slander, defame, calumniate, traduce.

6 misapplication.

7 slander, aspersion.

See synonyms for abuse on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR abuse

3, 7 praise.

See antonyms for abuse on Thesaurus.com

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have

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Idioms about abuse

abuse oneself, to masturbate.

Origin of abuse

1400–50; (v.) late Middle English abusen<Middle French abuser, verbal derivative of abus<Latin abūsus misuse, wasting, equivalent to abūt(ī) to use up, misuse (ab-ab- + ūtī to use) + -tus suffix of v. action; (noun) late Middle English abus<Middle French abus or Latin abūsus

synonym study for abuse

7. 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.

OTHER WORDS FROM abuse

a·bus·a·ble

[uh-byoo-zuh-buhl], /əˈbyu zə bəl/, adjectivea·bus·er, nounan·ti·a·buse, adjectiveo·ver·a·buse, noun, verb (used with object), o·ver·a·bused, o·ver·a·bus·ing.

un·a·bus·a·ble, adjectiveun·a·bused, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use abuse in a sentence

The long history of abuse and erasure has sparked ongoing movements from Indigenous communities, some of which have garnered more attention in recent years, like the Standing Rock protests.
The case for a Native American secretary of the interior|Rachel Ramirez|November 20, 2020|Vox
None of it was earmarked for substance abuse programs, they said.
Patients struggle to access prescription opioids after New York tax drives away suppliers|lbelanger225|November 15, 2020|Fortune
There is a similar pattern when it comes to drug and alcohol abuse.
Why We Judge People Based on Their Relatives - Facts So Romantic|Diana Fleischman|November 11, 2020|Nautilus
San Diego County has had a Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board for decades, which was established by a voter initiative in 1990 following a series of allegations of abuse in county jails.
New County Board and Sheriff Could Be Headed for a Standoff|Maya Srikrishnan|November 11, 2020|Voice of San Diego

With a composite handle that has yet to show any sign of wear after months of abuse, it’s meant to take a beating.
5 Axes and Hatchets We Love for Wood Chopping|Graham Averill|November 10, 2020|Outside Online
Hasidic Judaism has a reputation for subverting and abusing women—and women have come forward with testimony to prove it.
The Sisterhood of Bulletproof Stockings: It’s Ladies’ Night for Hasidic Rockers|Emily Shire|September 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Goddard was accused of abusing Michael Egan in Hawaii when Egan was a teenager.
Third Hollywood Power Player Files Motion to Dismiss Sex Abuse Lawsuit|Tim Teeman|May 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I told him, ‘He is abusing me every single day, what am I supposed to do?’
Pope Francis Declares Divorcees Deserve Compassion, Too|Kirsten Powers|March 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At 22, Amanda married a man who began sexually and emotionally abusing her.
Pope Francis Declares Divorcees Deserve Compassion, Too|Kirsten Powers|March 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This progresses to Fox abusing Spinelli at Fox's home, forcing him to engage in various sexual acts.
How Frank Spinelli Fought to Bring His Molestor to Justice|Tim Teeman|March 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And all the while she fought him, she punctuated her blows with words, some abusing him, others in defense of her father.
The Homesteader|Oscar Micheaux
White with anger and chagrin, the doctor stood roundly abusing the man who had investigated that lonely house.
The Doctor of Pimlico|William Le Queux
He thought the only way was to let in public opinion upon the acts and conduct of individuals abusing their power.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III.|E. Farr and E. H. Nolan
I fidgeted up and down the raft, abusing myself to myself, and Jim was fidgeting up and down past me.
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Complete|Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
Major Elbert's manner was not that of the bully, or of one abusing brief authority.
Uncle Sam's Boys as Lieutenants|H. Irving Hancock

British Dictionary definitions for abuse

abuse

verb (əˈbjuːz) (tr)

to use incorrectly or improperly; misuse

to maltreat, esp physically or sexually

to speak insultingly or cruelly to; revile

(reflexive) to masturbate

noun (əˈbjuːs)

improper, incorrect, or excessive use; misuse

maltreatment of a person; injury

insulting, contemptuous, or coarse speech

an evil, unjust, or corrupt practice

See child abuse

archaic a deception

Derived forms of abuse

abuser, noun

Word Origin for abuse

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for abuse

abuse

[ ə-byōōz′ ]

To use wrongly or improperly; misuse.

To hurt or injure physically by maltreatment.

To force sexual activity on; rape or molest.

To assail with contemptuous, coarse, or insulting words; revile.

Improper use or handling, as of a drug; misuse.

Physical maltreatment, as of a spouse or child.

The forcing of unwanted sexual activity by one person on another.

Sexual activity that is deemed improper or harmful, as between an adult and a minor or with a person of diminished mental capacity.

Insulting or coarse language.

Other words from abuse

a•bus′er n.

abuse

OTHER WORDS FOR abuse

OPPOSITES FOR abuse

Idioms about abuse

Origin of abuse

synonym study for abuse

OTHER WORDS FROM abuse

Words related to abuse

How to use abuse in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for abuse

Derived forms of abuse

Word Origin for abuse

Medical definitions for abuse

Other words from abuse