abuse

[ verb uh-byooz; noun uh-byoos ]

verb (used with object)

, a·bused, a·bus·ing.

1. to use wrongly or improperly; misuse:

   to abuse one's authority.

   Synonyms: misapply

2. to treat in a harmful, injurious, or offensive way:

   to abuse a horse; to abuse one's eyesight.

   Synonyms: hurt, harm, injure, maltreat, ill-use

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

   Synonyms: scold, berate, vituperate, vilify, traduce, calumniate, defame, slander

   Antonyms: praise

4. to commit sexual assault upon.
5. Obsolete. to deceive or mislead.

noun

1. wrong or improper use; misuse:

   the abuse of privileges.

   Synonyms: misapplication

2. harshly or coarsely insulting language:

   The officer heaped abuse on his men.

   Synonyms: aspersion, slander

   Antonyms: praise

3. bad or improper treatment; maltreatment:

   The child was subjected to cruel abuse.

4. a corrupt or improper practice or custom:

   the abuses of a totalitarian regime.

5. rape or sexual assault.
6. Obsolete. deception.

abuse

verb

1. to use incorrectly or improperly; misuse
2. to maltreat, esp physically or sexually
3. to speak insultingly or cruelly to; revile
4. reflexive to masturbate

noun

1. improper, incorrect, or excessive use; misuse
2. maltreatment of a person; injury
3. insulting, contemptuous, or coarse speech
4. an evil, unjust, or corrupt practice
5. See child abuse
6. archaic.
   a deception

Derived Forms

• aˈbuser, noun

Other Words From

• a·bus·a·ble [uh, -, byoo, -z, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
• a·buser noun
• anti·a·buse adjective
• over·a·buse noun verb (used with object) overabused overabusing
• una·busa·ble adjective
• una·bused adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of abuse¹

First recorded in 1400–50; (for the noun) late Middle English abus, from Middle French, from Latin abūsus “misuse, waste,” noun use of past participle of abūtī “to use up, misuse,” from ab- ab- + ūtī “to use, employ, enjoy”; use; verb derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of abuse¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. abuse oneself, to masturbate.

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Harrods, which came under new ownership in 2010, said in a statement that the new claims point to the "breadth of abuse" by Al Fayed and "raise serious allegations" against his brother.

From BBC

Rachael says she felt his goal was to get her addicted to make it easier to abuse her.

From BBC

If you've been affected by issues involving sexual abuse and violence, information and support is available at BBC Action Line.

From BBC

"I want to stand up for victims of abuse, whether corporate or domestic, to let them know that they can speak up too."

From BBC

Christopher Stockton, 38, denies murder and child abuse, while Charlie's mother Paula Roberts, 41, denies child neglect.

From BBC

Related Words

• beat up
• corrupt
• harm
• impair
• maltreat
• mistreat
• misuse
• molest
• persecute
• victimize
• violate