abuse

noun

UK /əˈbjuːs/

Word Forms

singular	abuse
plural	abuses

1
countable/uncountable cruel, violent, or unfair treatment, especially of someone who does not have the power to prevent it
The regime had been responsible for serious human rights abuses.
abuse of:
Physical abuse and neglect of children is too common.
Synonyms and related words
Cruel, selfish and unkind behaviour or actions
cruelty
evil
abuse
1. 1a
  uncountable forced sexual activity with someone who cannot prevent it
  Several female students have made allegations of abuse against him.
  Synonyms and related words
  Sex crimes
  abuse
  acquaintance rape
  casting couch
2
countable/uncountable the use of something in a bad, dishonest, or harmful way
price-fixing agreements and other abuses by large corporations
abuse of power/privilege/position:
This is clearly an abuse of power.
open to abuse (=capable of being abused):
All polling methods are potentially open to abuse.
Synonyms and related words
The act or process of misusing and wasting
waste
abuse
misuse
1. 2a
  uncountable the use of alcohol or illegal drugs in a way that is harmful to your health
  alcohol/drug/substance abuse
  Synonyms and related words
  Relating to or associated with drinking alcohol
  AA
  abuse
  Al-Anon
  Synonyms and related words
  Relating to using illegal drugs
  abuse
  addiction
  addictive
3
uncountable angry offensive comments
shout/scream/hurl abuse:
Blake was alleged to have hurled racist abuse at a student.
Synonyms and related words
Offensive words and language
obscenity
curse
bad language

abuse

noun

US /əˈbjus/

Word Forms

singular	abuse
plural	abuses

1
countable/uncountable cruel, violent, or unfair treatment, especially of someone who does not have the power to prevent it
The regime had been responsible for serious human rights abuses.
abuse of:
Physical abuse and neglect of children is too common.
Synonyms and related words
Cruel, selfish and unkind behavior or actions
cruelty
evil
abuse
1. 1a
  uncountable forced sexual activity with someone who cannot prevent it
  Several female students have made allegations of abuse against him.
  Synonyms and related words
  Sex crimes
  abuse
  acquaintance rape
  casting couch
2
countable/uncountable the use of something in a bad, dishonest, or harmful way
price-fixing agreements and other abuses by large corporations
abuse of power/privilege/position:
This is clearly an abuse of power.
open to abuse (=capable of being abused):
All polling methods are potentially open to abuse.
Synonyms and related words
The act or process of misusing and wasting
waste
abuse
misuse
1. 2a
  uncountable the use of alcohol or illegal drugs in a way that is harmful to your health
  alcohol/drug/substance abuse
  Synonyms and related words
  Relating to or associated with drinking alcohol
  AA
  abuse
  Al-Anon
  Synonyms and related words
  Relating to using illegal drugs
  abuse
  addiction
  a monkey on your back
3
uncountable angry offensive comments
shout/scream/hurl abuse:
Blake was alleged to have hurled racist abuse at a student.
Synonyms and related words
Offensive words and language
obscenity
curse
bad language

abuse

verb transitive

UK /əˈbjuːz/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	abuse
he/she/it	abuses
present participle	abusing
past tense	abused
past participle	abused

1
to treat someone in a cruel or violent way
Prisoners were regularly abused by their guards.
Synonyms and related words
To be cruel or unkind to someone
abuse
mistreat
oppress
1. 1a
  to have sex with someone who is unable to refuse
  A high percentage of abusive parents were themselves abused as children.
  Synonyms and related words
  To rape or sexually attack someone
  rape
  molest
  abuse
2
to use something in a bad, dishonest, or harmful way
They were accused of abusing their power to keep prices artificially high.
Those with access to private information must not abuse that trust.
Synonyms and related words
To waste or misuse a thing or opportunity
wear out
throw away
waste
1. 2a
  to use alcohol or illegal drugs in a way that is harmful to your health
  Synonyms and related words
  To drink alcohol, or to be drunk
  drink
  abuse
  sober up
  Synonyms and related words
  To buy or use illegal drugs
  abuse
  be jacked up
  come down
3
to speak to someone in an angry, offensive way
He was fined £10,000 for verbally abusing the umpire.
Synonyms and related words
To use offensive language
swear
curse
blaspheme
Synonyms and related words
To say something, or to speak to someone in an angry way
lash out
tear into
abuse

abuse

verb transitive

US /əˈbjuz/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	abuse
he/she/it	abuses
present participle	abusing
past tense	abused
past participle	abused

1
to treat someone in a cruel or violent way
Prisoners were regularly abused by their guards.
Synonyms and related words
To be cruel or unkind to someone
abuse
mistreat
oppress
1. 1a
  to have sex with someone who is unable to refuse
  A high percentage of abusive parents were themselves abused as children.
  Synonyms and related words
  To rape or sexually attack someone
  rape
  abuse
  molest
2
to use something in a bad, dishonest, or harmful way
They were accused of abusing their power to keep prices artificially high.
Those with access to private information must not abuse that trust.
Synonyms and related words
To waste or misuse a thing or opportunity
wear out
throw away
waste
1. 2a
  to use alcohol or illegal drugs in a way that is harmful to your health
  Synonyms and related words
  To drink alcohol, or to be drunk
  drink
  knock back
  outdrink
  Synonyms and related words
  To buy or use illegal drugs
  abuse
  be jacked up
  come down
3
to speak to someone in an angry, offensive way
He was fined $10,000 for verbally abusing the umpire.
Synonyms and related words
To use offensive language
swear
curse
blaspheme
Synonyms and related words
To say something, or to speak to someone in an angry way
lash out
tear into
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