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abuse

a·buse

abuse

 
 
parts of speech:
transitive verb, noun
features:
Word Combinations (verb, noun), Word Explorer, Word Parts
part of speech: transitive verb
pronunciation: byuz
inflections: abuses, abusing, abused
definition 1: to use in an improper or incorrect manner; misuse.
If you abuse your privileges, you will lose them.He began to abuse alcohol after his divorce.
synonyms:
misapply, misemploy, misuse, pervert
similar words:
exploit, mishandle, profane
definition 2: to treat in a manner that causes injury or offense.
Seeing the boy's injuries, the doctor suspected that some adult had abused him.Smokers abuse their own lungs.
synonyms:
aggrieve, disrespect, ill-treat, ill-use, maltreat, mistreat, misuse, wrong
antonyms:
honor, mollycoddle, respect
similar words:
affront, batter, beat, belabor, harm, hit, hurt, injure, manhandle, mishandle, molest, offend, oppress, persecute, punish, shaft, strike, torment
definition 3: to talk to or of in an offensive or unfair manner.
You can say what you like about me, but don't start abusing my friends.
synonyms:
badmouth, chew out, excoriate, insult, malign, revile, tongue-lash, vilify, wrong
antonyms:
adulate, compliment, flatter, praise
similar words:
affront, anathematize, assail, belabor, berate, blackguard, bullyrag, curse, denigrate, disparage, flay, inveigh against, lambaste, lash, objurgate, offend, rail at, upbraid, vituperate
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part of speech: noun
pronunciation: byus
definition 1: improper or incorrect use; misuse.
The revolutionaries struggled against corruption and the government's abuse of power.
synonyms:
misuse
similar words:
exploitation
definition 2: injurious or offensive treatment.
Child abuse is a serious crime.After years of abuse, she decided to leave her husband.
synonyms:
ill-treatment, ill-usage, ill-use, maltreatment, mistreatment, misusage, wrong
antonyms:
care
similar words:
battery, beating, harm, injury, punishment, torture, work
definition 3: offensive or unfair comments or language.
The enemies hurled abuse at each other.
synonyms:
disparagement, invective, obloquy, tongue-lashing, vilification
antonyms:
flattery, praise
similar words:
billingsgate, contumely, curse, diatribe, insult, malediction, philippic, scolding, scurrility, shaft, slur, vituperation
definition 4: a corrupt procedure or custom.
New laws were set up to prevent abuses within the welfare system.
synonyms:
exploitation, malfeasance, misdeed, wrongdoing
similar words:
corruption, misfeasance, wrong
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derivation: abuser (n.)
Word Explorer
See
  injury, moral
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