Overview of noun abuse

The noun abuse has 3 senses

• maltreatment, ill-treatment, ill-usage, abuse -- (cruel or inhumane treatment; "the child showed signs of physical abuse")


• abuse, insult, revilement, contumely, vilification -- (a rude expression intended to offend or hurt; "when a student made a stupid mistake he spared them no abuse"; "they yelled insults at the visiting team")


• misuse, abuse -- (improper or excessive use; "alcohol abuse"; "the abuse of public funds")

Overview of verb abuse

The verb abuse has 4 senses

• mistreat, maltreat, abuse, ill-use, step, ill-treat -- (treat badly; "This boss abuses his workers"; "She is always stepping on others to get ahead")


• pervert, misuse, abuse -- (change the inherent purpose or function of something; "Don't abuse the system"; "The director of the factory misused the funds intended for the health care of his workers")


• abuse, clapperclaw, blackguard, shout -- (use foul or abusive language towards; "The actress abused the policeman who gave her a parking ticket"; "The angry mother shouted at the teacher")


• abuse -- (use wrongly or improperly or excessively; "Her husband often abuses alcohol"; "while she was pregnant, she abused drugs")