abuse
[ verb uh-byooz; noun uh-byoos ]
/ verb əˈbyuz; noun əˈbyus /
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verb (used with object), a·bused, a·bus·ing.
noun
OTHER WORDS FOR abuse
1 misapply.
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Idioms about abuse
abuse oneself, to masturbate.
Origin of abuse
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
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use abuse in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for abuse
abuse
verb (əˈbjuːz) (tr)
noun (əˈbjuːs)
Derived forms of abuse
abuser, nounWord 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
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Medical definitions for abuse
abuse
[ ə-byōōz′ ]
v.
n.
Other words from abuse
a•bus′er n.The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.