Meaning & Definition of Abuse in English
English⟶
Abuse
/əbjus/
noun
1. Cruel or inhumane treatment
- "The child showed signs of physical abuse"
synonym:
- maltreatment,
- ill-treatment,
- ill-usage,
- abuse
2. A rude expression intended to offend or hurt
- "When a student made a stupid mistake he spared them no abuse"
- "They yelled insults at the visiting team"
synonym:
- abuse,
- insult,
- revilement,
- contumely,
- vilification
3. Improper or excessive use
- "Alcohol abuse"
- "The abuse of public funds"
synonym:
- misuse,
- abuse
verb
1. Treat badly
- "This boss abuses his workers"
- "She is always stepping on others to get ahead"
synonym:
- mistreat,
- maltreat,
- abuse,
- ill-use,
- step,
- ill-treat
2. Change the inherent purpose or function of something
- "Don't abuse the system"
- "The director of the factory misused the funds intended for the health care of his workers"
synonym:
- pervert,
- misuse,
- abuse
3. Use foul or abusive language towards
- "The actress abused the policeman who gave her a parking ticket"
- "The angry mother shouted at the teacher"
synonym:
- abuse,
- clapperclaw,
- blackguard,
- shout
4. Use wrongly or improperly or excessively
- "Her husband often abuses alcohol"
- "While she was pregnant, she abused drugs"
synonym:
- abuse
Examples of using
How long, O Catiline, will you abuse our patience?
They're against animal abuse.
He flung a stream of abuse at me.