abuse > define

noun

• Cruel or inhumane treatment.
  • usage: "the child showed signs of physical abuse"
  • synonyms: maltreatment, ill-treatment, ill-usage
• A rude expression intended to offend or hurt.
  • usage: "when a student made a stupid mistake he spared them no abuse"; "they yelled insults at the visiting team"
  • synonyms: insult, revilement, contumely, vilification
• Improper or excessive use.
  • usage: "alcohol abuse"; "the abuse of public funds"
  • synonyms: misuse

verb

• Treat badly.
  • usage: "This boss abuses his workers"; "She is always stepping on others to get ahead"
  • synonyms: mistreat, maltreat, ill-use, step, ill-treat
• Change the inherent purpose or function of something.
  • usage: "Don't abuse the system"; "The director of the factory misused the funds intended for the health care of his workers"
  • synonyms: pervert, misuse
• Use foul or abusive language towards.
  • usage: "The actress abused the policeman who gave her a parking ticket"; "The angry mother shouted at the teacher"
  • synonyms: clapperclaw, blackguard, shout
• Use wrongly or improperly or excessively.
  • usage: "Her husband often abuses alcohol"; "while she was pregnant, she abused drugs"

• (v.t.) To put to a wrong use; to misapply; to misuse; to put to a bad use; to use for a wrong purpose or end; to pervert; as, to abuse inherited gold; to make an excessive use of; as, to abuse one's authority.
• (v.t.) To use ill; to maltreat; to act injuriously to; to punish or to tax excessively; to hurt; as, to abuse prisoners, to abuse one's powers, one's patience.
• (v.t.) To revile; to reproach coarsely; to disparage.
• (v.t.) To dishonor.
• (v.t.) To violate; to ravish.
• (v.t.) To deceive; to impose on.
• (v.t.) Improper treatment or use; application to a wrong or bad purpose; misuse; as, an abuse of our natural powers; an abuse of civil rights or of privileges or advantages; an abuse of language.
• (v.t.) Physical ill treatment; injury.
• (v.t.) A corrupt practice or custom; offense; crime; fault; as, the abuses in the civil service.
• (v.t.) Vituperative words; coarse, insulting speech; abusive language; virulent condemnation; reviling.
• (v.t.) Violation; rape; as, abuse of a female child.