Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense abuses, present participle abusing, past tense, past participle abusedpronunciation note: The noun is pronounced (əbjuːs). The verb is pronounced (əbjuːz).
1. uncountable noun
Abuse of someone is cruel and violent treatment of them.
...investigation of alleged child abuse.
...victims of sexual and physical abuse.
...controversy over human rights abuses.
2. uncountable noun
Abuse is extremely rude and insulting things that people say when they are angry.
I was left shouting abuse as the car sped off.
Raft repeatedly hurled verbal abuse at his co-star.
Synonyms: insults, blame, slights, curses More Synonyms of abuse
3. variable noun
Abuse of something is the use of it in a wrong way or for a bad purpose.
What went on here was an abuse of power. [+ of]
...drug and alcohol abuse.
4. verb
If someone is abused, they are treated cruelly and violently.
Janet had been abused by her father since she was eleven. [beVERB-ed]
...parents who feel they cannot cope or might abuse their children. [VERB noun]
...those who work with abused children. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: ill-treat, wrong, damage, hurt More Synonyms of abuse
abuserWord forms: plural abuserscountable noun
...a convicted child abuser.
5. verb
You can say that someone is abused if extremely rude and insulting things are said to them.
He alleged that he was verbally abused by other soldiers. [beVERB-ed]
[Also VERB noun]
Synonyms: insult, injure, offend, curse More Synonyms of abuse
6. verb
If you abuse something, you use it in a wrong way or for a bad purpose.
He showed how the rich and powerful can abuse their position. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: exploit, take advantage of, manipulate, misuse More Synonyms of abuse
abusercountable noun
...the treatment of alcohol and drug abusers.
More Synonyms of abuse
abuse in British English
verb (əˈbjuːz)(transitive)
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 (əˈbjuːs)
5.
improper, incorrect, or excessive use; misuse
6.
maltreatment of a person; injury
7.
insulting, contemptuous, or coarse speech
8.
an evil, unjust, or corrupt practice
9. child abuse
10. archaic
a deception
Derived forms
abuser (aˈbuser)
noun
Word origin
c14 (vb): via Old French from Latin abūsus, past participle of abūtī to misuse, from ab-1 + ūtī to use
abuse in American English
(əˈbjuz; for n., əˈbjus)
verb transitiveWord forms: aˈbused or aˈbusing
1.
to use wrongly; misuse
to abuse a privilege
2.
a.
to hurt by treating badly; mistreat
b.
to inflict physical, sexual, or psychological harm upon
3.
to use insulting, coarse, or bad language about or to; revile
noun
4.
wrong, bad, or excessive use
5.
mistreatment, esp. by the infliction of physical, sexual, or psychological harm;injury
6.
a bad, unjust, or corrupt custom or practice
7.
insulting or coarse language
8. Obsolete
deception
SIMILAR WORDS: wrong
Derived forms
abuser (aˈbuser) (əˈbjuzər)
noun
abusable (aˈbusable)
adjective
Word origin
ME abusen < OFr abuser < L abusus, pp. of abuti, misuse < ab-, away, from + uti, to use
Examples of 'abuse' in a sentence
abuse
To write stories of profound public interest about abuse of power in public office.
The Sun (2016)
Alcohol abuse can be inherited but researchers had found few genes directly linked to it.
The Sun (2016)
This is no more a genuine libertarian issue than are the costs of drug abuse or smoking.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We went down there and had a fair bit of abuse come our way.
The Sun (2016)
The physical abuse went on for years.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
FORMER cops have blasted a bid to recruit them to probe war veterans for alleged abuse.
The Sun (2016)
She is convinced that her mother knew about the abuse but turned a blind eye.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Why should we get abuse from the people we are serving?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Three healthcare assistants have been charged after an investigation into the alleged abuse of elderly hospital patients.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Much of what has preceded can apply to drug abuse.
Christianity Today (2000)
Yet it was also a time of alcohol and cocaine abuse.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
There is no excuse for bad nursing or abuse.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
There is no way he would abuse anyone.
The Sun (2011)
Other previous winners include a single mum who overcame physical abuse to launch a successful beauty business.
The Sun (2008)
He has been accused of fraud by abuse of power and was in custody last night.
The Sun (2011)
Why are there signs in hospitals begging people not to abuse the staff?
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
List the factors that contribute to the abuse of alcohol and other drugs.
McKenzie, James F. & Pinger, Robert R. An Introduction to Community Health (1995)
At the time he was staying at a rehabilitation unit to receive treatment for his problems with drug abuse.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Cue more abuse from the crowd.
The Sun (2009)
Would have had more abuse but for crowd 's determination to show loyalty.
The Sun (2016)
The Government is being urged to hold an independent inquiry into the alleged abuse.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
abuse
British English: abuse /əˈbjuːs/ NOUN
Abuse of someone is cruel and violent treatment of them.
...investigation of alleged sexual abuse.
American English: abuse
Arabic: سُوْءُ الاِسْتِعْمال
Brazilian Portuguese: abuso
Chinese: 侵犯
Croatian: zlostavljanje
Czech: zneužívání
Danish: misbrug
Dutch: misbruik
European Spanish: abuso
Finnish: pahoinpitely
French: mauvais traitement
German: Missbrauch
Greek: κακοποίηση
Italian: abuso
Japanese: 虐待
Korean: 남용
Norwegian: misbruk
Polish: wykorzystywanie
European Portuguese: abuso
Romanian: abuz
Russian: оскорбление
Latin American Spanish: abuso
Swedish: missbruk
Thai: การข่มเหง
Turkish: taciz
Ukrainian: образа
Vietnamese: sự lạm dụng
British English: abuse /əˈbjuːz/ VERB
If someone is abused, they are treated cruelly and violently.
She had been abused by her father since she was eleven.
American English: abuse
Arabic: يُؤْذِي
Brazilian Portuguese: abusar
Chinese: 侵犯
Croatian: zlostavljati
Czech: zneužít
Danish: misbruge
Dutch: misbruiken
European Spanish: abusar
Finnish: käyttää väärin
French: maltraiter
German: missbrauchen
Greek: κακοποιώ
Italian: abusare
Japanese: 濫用する
Korean: 학대하다
Norwegian: misbruke
Polish: wykorzystać
European Portuguese: abusar
Romanian: a abuza
Russian: оскорблять
Latin American Spanish: abusar
Swedish: missbruka
Thai: ข่มเหง
Turkish: kötüye kullanmak
Ukrainian: ображати
Vietnamese: lạm dụng
All related terms of 'abuse'
sex abuse
if a child or other person suffers sexual abuse , someone forces them to take part in sexual activity with them, often regularly over a period of time
child abuse
physical, sexual, or emotional ill-treatment or neglect of a child, esp by those responsible for its welfare
self-abuse
disparagement or misuse of one's own abilities , etc
alcohol abuse
the excessive consumption of alcoholic drinks
market abuse
(in Britain) a statutory offence which covers insider trading and stock market manipulation
satanic abuse
sexual abuse (esp of children), killing , or violent acts considered to be carried out as part of satanic worship rituals
sexual abuse
If a child or other person suffers sexual abuse , someone forces them to take part in sexual activity.
solvent abuse
Solvent abuse is the dangerous practice of breathing in the gases from substances such as glue in order to feel as if you are drunk.
verbal abuse
abuse or insults made using (esp spoken) language, as opposes to physical abuse
chemical abuse
the habitual use of a mood-altering drug, alcoholic beverage , etc.
domestic abuse
physical or psychological abuse towards a member of one's own household
substance abuse
the practice of taking an excessive amount of drugs in a manner that is detrimental to health
abuse allegations
An allegation is a statement saying that someone has done something wrong .
child-abuse register
(in Britain) a list of children deemed to be at risk of abuse or injury from their parents or guardians , compiled and held by a local authority, area health authority, or NSPCC Special Unit
NAI register
(in Britain) a list of children deemed to be at risk of abuse or injury from their parents or guardians , compiled and held by a local authority, area health authority, or NSPCC Special Unit