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")

Overview of adj abused

The adj abused has 2 senses

• abused -- (used improperly or excessively especially drugs; "an abused substance")


• abused, ill-treated, maltreated, mistreated -- (subjected to cruel treatment; "an abused wife")