abuse

[uh-byooz, uh-byoos]

verb (used with object)

abused, abusing 

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

Other Word Forms

• abuser noun
• abusable adjective
• antiabuse adjective
• overabuse noun
• unabusable adjective
• unabused 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

“This is about ending secrecy wherever abuse of power takes root,” said Anouska De Georgiou, who was among the Epstein victims who held a news conference on Capitol Hill.

From Los Angeles Times

Each of Monguia’s remarks “constituted an abuse of authority” and violated the judicial rules of conduct, according to the commission’s statement on the findings.

From Los Angeles Times

She was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court to five years in prison for two counts of fraud by abuse of position after pleading guilty last month.

From BBC

In delivering her sentence, Judge Kristina Montgomery KC said there had been a "volatile dynamic" between the couple and conflict had been "fuelled by alcohol and substance abuse".

From BBC

The “harm reduction” model followed at the tiny home village on the campus has been valuable in getting veterans off the street who are struggling with substance abuse.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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

When To Use

What does abuse mean?

Warning: This article involves discussion of the sensitive topics of physical and emotional abuse and substance abuse. If you or someone you know needs support, please visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline site to chat or call the hotline at 1-800-799-7233. For support with substance abuse, call the National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.The verb abuse most commonly means to mistreat and cause harm to a person or an animal.The noun abuse refers to such mistreatment. The victim of the abuse or the kind of abuse is often specified before the word, as in child abuse, spousal abuse, animal abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse.A person who abuses someone can be called an abuser, and such a person is said to be abusive.Abuse can also be used as a verb meaning to misuse something or as a noun meaning misuse—referring to the overuse or improper use of things. This sense of the word is especially seen in the phrases alcohol abuse, drug abuse, substance abuse, and abuse of power.As a verb, abuse is pronounced uh-BYOOZ. As a noun, it’s pronounced uh-BYOOS. This same pronunciation pattern is seen in the verb and noun forms of the word use (which rhyme with the verb and noun forms of abuse, respectively).Example: Just because it’s not physical doesn’t mean it’s not abuse—emotional abuse can leave its own scars.​