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abuse

[ ə-ˈbyüs]

abuse

noun

[ə-ˈbyüs]

Definition of abuse

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a corrupt practice or custom
//the buying of votes and other election abuses

2 : improper or excessive use or treatment : misuse
//drug abuse

3 : language that condemns or vilifies usually unjustly, intemperately, and angrily
//verbal abuse a term of abuse

4 : physical maltreatment
//child abuse sexual abuse

5 obsolete : a deceitful act : deception

abuse

verb

[ə-ˈbyüz]

abused; abusing

Definition of abuse (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to put to a wrong or improper use
//abuse a privilege

b : to use excessively
//abuse alcohol
also : to use without medical justification
//abusing painkillers

2 : to use or treat so as to injure or damage : maltreat
//abused his wife

3 : to attack in words : revile
//verbally abused the referee

4 obsolete : deceive

Other Words from abuse

Verb

abusable \ ə-ˈbyü-zə-bəl \ adjective

abuser noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for dainty

Synonyms: Verb

Synonyms: Noun

Choose the Right Synonym for dainty

Noun

abuse, vituperation, invective, obloquy, billingsgate mean vehemently expressed condemnation or disapproval. abuse, the most general term, usually implies the anger of the speaker and stresses the harshness of the language.
// scathing verbal abuse vituperation implies fluent and sustained abuse.
// a torrent of vituperation invective implies a comparable vehemence but suggests greater verbal and rhetorical skill and may apply to a public denunciation.
// blistering political invective obloquy suggests defamation and consequent shame and disgrace.
// subjected to obloquy and derision billingsgate implies practiced fluency and variety of profane or obscene abuse.
// directed a stream of billingsgate at the cabdriver

Recent Examples on the Web

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
//Officials said there was no known history of domestic abuse.
— Fox News, "New York City grisly double murder-suicide claims lives of young girl and divorcing parents, officials say," 7 Nov. 2019
//Even the conversation on domestic abuse is relatively recent.
— David Canfield, EW.com, "How Carmen Maria Machado wrote the best memoir of the year," 5 Nov. 2019
//Moreno also has been convicted in Minnesota of domestic abuse and of violating a restraining or no-contact order on at least six occasions since 2014, according to a search of court records.
— Tom Olsen, Twin Cities, "‘Very impaired’ Marine on St. Croix man charged in deadly I-35 crash," 4 Nov. 2019
//Federal law already bans those found guilty of misdemeanor domestic violence or who are the subject of a domestic abuse restraining order from owning firearms or ammunition.
— Dan Sweeney, sun-sentinel.com, "What do you think: Should people accused of domestic violence have their guns taken away?," 1 Nov. 2019
//This highly inventive memoir by 2017 National Book Award finalist Carmen Maria Machado explores the trauma and horror of domestic abuse.
— Annabel Gutterman, Time, "Here Are the 11 New Books You Should Read in November," 1 Nov. 2019
//Illinois released a statement Thursday about suspended defensive lineman Lere Oladipo in response to accusations on social media of domestic abuse.
— Shannon Ryan, chicagotribune.com, "Illinois releases a statement on accusations against Lere Oladipo, a suspended defensive lineman," 31 Oct. 2019
//The Times reported this year that Villanueva rehired a former deputy, Caren Carl Mandoyan, who had been fired in connection with domestic abuse and stalking allegations.
— Alene Tchekmedyianstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, "Sheriff rehires corruption investigator accused of posing as deputy in bizarre jail incident," 23 Oct. 2019
//As a survivor of domestic abuse and a former-homeless, single mother myself, this was an issue that was especially close to my heart.
— Monica Duran, The Denver Post, "Guest Commentary: Colorado domestic abuse survivors, like me, needed the support of paid family leave," 21 Oct. 2019
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
//According to labor advocates, during the past three years at least 50 women have directly sued the company or filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, saying they were abused by store managers or employees.
— Stephen Gandel, CBS News, "Fired McDonald's CEO could see $70 million payout after co-worker affair," 5 Nov. 2019
//This put limits on the extent to which power could be abused.
— Jonathan Fisher, Quartz Africa, "How colonial rule committed Africa to fragile authoritarianism," 2 Nov. 2019
//For years, the BSA has been entangled in costly litigation with plaintiffs who said they were abused by scout leaders in their youth.
— David Crary, The Denver Post, "Boy Scouts to boost annual youth fees by more than 80%," 31 Oct. 2019
//In April 2015, the diocese settled with 14 men who said they were abused as children by priests assigned to their suburban parishes.
— Madeline Buckley, chicagotribune.com, "Joliet Diocese is sued over Catholic priest accused of sexually assaulting disabled man at residential center in Kankakee," 31 Oct. 2019
//Each year, the Humane Society of Hamilton County takes in approximately 3,000 homeless animals, many of which have been injured, abused or neglected.
— Kellie Hwang, Indianapolis Star, "Humane Society of Hamilton County plans to build a new shelter in Fishers next year," 26 Oct. 2019
//Chief Development Officer Ryan Friedrichs and his deputy, Sirene Abou-Chakra – also abused their authority and should be disciplined, the inspector general wrote.
— Freep.com, "Duggan administration admonished for preferential treatment of Make Your Date program," 21 Oct. 2019
//Seventy-eight people who said they were abused by former Ohio State University team doctor Richard Strauss called on the Ohio General Assembly to change the state’s statute of limitations law.
— Laura Hancock, cleveland, "78 victims of Dr. Richard Strauss, former OSU team doctor, call for law changes, OSU accountability in op-ed," 18 Oct. 2019
//It was abused by baseball's best bullpen, held to six hits by six Rays relievers in a 4-1 loss.
— Chandler Rome, Houston Chronicle, "Justin Verlander, Astros fall to Rays in Game 4," 8 Oct. 2019

First Known Use of abuse

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for abuse

Noun

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin abūsus "misuse, waste," noun derivative from abūtī "to exhaust, use up, misuse," from ab- ab- + ūtī "to use entry 1"

Verb

Middle English abusen, borrowed from Anglo-French abuser, verbal derivative of abuse abuse entry 1

Dictionary Entries near abuse

Phrases Related to abuse

human rights abuse

ripe for abuse

verbal abuse

More Synonyms and Antonyms ofabuse

Synonyms & Antonyms of abuse

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 harsh insulting language

hometown fans hurled abuse at the visiting team

Synonyms for abuse

Words Related to abuse

blackguardism

Near Antonyms for abuse

2 incorrect or improper use

naturally the furniture had received a lot of abuse from the 10 kids in the family

Synonyms for abuse

Words Related to abuse

Near Antonyms for abuse

abuse

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms of abuse (Entry 2 of 2)

1 to inflict physical or emotional harm upon

if you abuse your pet, he will always have an ugly disposition

Synonyms for abuse

Words Related to abuse

Phrases Synonymous with abuse

take apart

Near Antonyms for abuse

2 to criticize harshly and usually publicly

a demanding, difficult patient who constantly abuses the nurses and aides

Synonyms for abuse

Words Related to abuse

Phrases Synonymous with abuse

Near Antonyms for abuse

3 to put to a bad or improper use

if you abuse your baseball bat by using it to hammer nails, don't expect it to last long

Synonyms for abuse

Words Related to abuse

mismanage

Near Antonyms for abuse

respect

4 to take unfair advantage of

abused his parents' trust, pilfering small amounts from them that he hoped they wouldn't notice

Synonyms for abuse

Words Related to abuse

Phrases Synonymous with abuse

More Definitions forabuse

abuse

noun

\ ə-ˈbyüs \

Kids Definition of abuse

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : wrong or unfair treatment or use
//abuse of power

2 : the act or practice of improperly using or of using in harmful amounts
//drug abuse

3 : harmful treatment of a person or an animal

4 : harsh insulting language
//“Never a kind word for old Templeton, only abuse and wisecracks …”— E. B. White, Charlotte's Web

5 : a dishonest practice
//election abuses

abuse

verb

\ ə-ˈbyüz \

abused; abusing

Kids Definition of abuse (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to treat in a cruel or harmful way
//abuse an animal

2 : to use wrongly : misuse
//abuse privileges

3 : to use improperly or in harmful amounts
//abuse drugs

4 : to blame or scold rudely

abuse

noun

\ ə-ˈbyüs \

Medical Definition of abuse

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : improper or excessive use or treatment
//drug abuse long-term abuse of tranquilizers

2 : physical maltreatment: as

a : the act of violating sexually : rape

b under some statutes : rape or indecent assault not amounting to rape

abuse

transitive verb

\ ə-ˈbyüz \

abused; abusing

Medical Definition of abuse (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to use excessively
//abuse alcohol also : to use without medical justification
//abusing painkillers

2 : to treat so as to injure or damage
//abuse a child

3a : masturbate

b : to subject to abuse and especially to rape or indecent assault

abuse

transitive verb

\ ə-ˈbyüz \

abused; abusing

Legal Definition of abuse

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to put to a use other than the one intended: as

a : to put to a bad or unfair use
//abusing the powers of office

b : to put to improper or excessive use
//abuse narcotics

2a : to inflict physical or emotional mistreatment or injury on (as one's child) purposely or through negligence or neglect and often on a regular basis

b : to engage in sexual activity with (a child under an age specified by statute)

3 : to attack harshly with words
//abuse a police officer abuse a debtor

abuse

noun

\ ə-ˈbyüs \

Legal Definition of abuse (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : improper, unfair, or excessive use
//abuse of authority drug abuse

2a : the infliction of physical or emotional injury also : the crime of inflicting such injury — see also battered child syndrome, battered woman's syndrome — compare cruelty, neglect

b : sexual abuse

3 : a verbal attack (as on a police officer in the performance of his or her duty) also : the crime of making such an attack