abuse

[ verb uh-byooz; noun uh-byoos ]

/ verb əˈbyuz; noun əˈbyus /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR abuse 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.

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Idioms for 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

SYNONYMS 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.

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ANTONYMS FOR abuse

3, 7 praise.

SEE ANTONYMS FOR abuse ON THESAURUS.COM

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

Words nearby abuse

abundant number, abundant year, abundantly, abury, abusage, abuse, abusive, abut, abutilon, abutment, abuttal

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for abusing

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
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

Maday was accused of abusing between 35 and 45 children in Wisconsin, which is under the Chicago Archdiocese.
Docs Reveal A Diocese’s Sins|Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If he is unmeasured in abusing some people, he is also unlimited in praising others.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 5|Various
Some gazed in silence, but many amused themselves by abusing us, and bestowing on us all sorts of uncomplimentary names.
Saved from the Sea|W.H.G. Kingston
Marjory, you little mite; you arent as big as you were the last time I saw youare they abusing you at this place?
Girls of Highland Hall|Carolyn Watson Rankin
She avowed her determination to conceal the secrets of the government from those who were capable of abusing her confidence.
The Rise of the Dutch Republic, Volume I.(of III) 1555-66|John Lothrop Motley
They alone were armed, master of the inhabitants, using and abusing things and persons according to their caprices.
The Origins of Contemporary France, Volume 4 (of 6)|Hippolyte A. Taine

British Dictionary definitions for abusing

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 abusing

abuse

[ ə-byōōz′ ]

v.

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.

n.

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.

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WORD OF THE DAY

abuse

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

noun