abuse

abuse — verb

1. to use something such as power, money, medicine, or information in an unfair, da

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to use something such as power, money, medicine, or information in an unfair, dangerous, or dishonest way

Example

The coach abused his power by cutting players who questioned him.

abuse + power

Rina abused the pain pills and soon stopped sleeping well.

abuse + medicine/drugs

Common collocations
  • abuse power
  • abuse authority
  • abuse drugs
  • abuse public money
  • abuse private data
Synonyms
  • misuse

    close in meaning; focuses on using something incorrectly or for the wrong purpose

  • exploit

    stresses taking unfair advantage, especially of people or a situation

  • overuse

    focuses on using too much, not necessarily dishonestly

  • misapply

    more formal; often used for rules, ideas, or money put to the wrong use

Antonyms
  • use

    neutral ordinary word with no idea of harm or unfairness

  • protect

    focuses on keeping something safe instead of harming people through it

Grammar Patterns

abuse something

abuse power/money/drugs

Usage Note

The object in this sense is usually a thing, right, position, or substance, not a person. Common objects include power, authority, alcohol, drugs, data, and public money.

Common Mistakes

I abused the bus to get home.
I used the bus to get home.
'abuse' implies improper or harmful use, not normal use.
The office abused the printer because everyone used it a lot.
The office overused the printer because everyone used it a lot.
if the idea is simple excessive use without unfairness, 'overuse' is more exact.

2. to harm a person or animal by treating them in a cruel, violent, or controlling

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to harm a person or animal by treating them in a cruel, violent, or controlling way

Example

The stepfather abused the boy for years behind the locked door.

abuse + person

The owner abused the dogs, so police removed them that night.

abuse + animal

Common collocations
  • abuse a child
  • abuse a partner
  • abuse an animal
  • physically abuse
  • emotionally abuse
Synonyms
  • mistreat

    general word for treating someone badly

  • assault

    stronger and more legal; usually points to a violent attack

  • torment

    stresses causing severe mental or physical suffering

  • bully

    often about repeated intimidation, especially at school or work

Antonyms
  • protect

    keep someone safe from harm

  • care for

    treat someone kindly and look after their needs

Grammar Patterns

abuse someone

abuse an animal

Usage Note

Usually takes a human or animal object and often appears with words like 'physically', 'sexually', or 'emotionally'. Distinguish from sense 3: this sense covers wider cruel treatment, not only insulting speech.

Common Mistakes

The dog was abused because it stayed alone for an hour.
The dog was neglected because it stayed alone for an hour.
'abuse' suggests active cruel harm; a simple failure to care is often called 'neglect'.
The manager abused the intern by criticizing one late report.
The manager treated the intern harshly by criticizing one late report.
one strict or unfair moment is not always strong enough for 'abuse'.

3. to say very rude and angry things directly to someone

3.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to say very rude and angry things directly to someone

Example

A man on the bus abused the driver after missing his stop.

abuse + person in anger

Fans abused the referee online after the final match.

abuse someone online

Common collocations
  • abuse the referee
  • abuse a driver
  • verbally abuse
  • abuse someone online
  • shout abuse at someone
Synonyms
  • insult

    the most general word for saying something offensive

  • curse

    focuses on angry bad language

  • revile

    formal; stresses strong public verbal attack

  • mock

    focuses on making fun of someone rather than attacking angrily

Antonyms
  • praise

    speak about someone in an approving way

  • respect

    treat and speak to someone with proper regard

Grammar Patterns

abuse someone

abuse someone online

Usage Note

This sense is about words alone and often appears with 'verbally' or 'online'. If the harm includes hitting, threats, or wider control, sense 2 is more accurate.

Common Mistakes

My brother abused me because he called me lazy once.
My brother insulted me because he called me lazy once.
for one rude remark, 'insulted' is usually more natural than 'abused'.

abuse — noun

Word family

  • abusive
    adjectiveC1
  • abuser
    nounC1
  • abusively
    adverbC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Abuse' is the broadest and strongest of these words: it suggests improper use that is harmful, unfair, or dishonest. 'Misuse' is the closest everyday substitute, but it sounds slightly calmer and often focuses on wrong use rather than moral blame. 'Exploit' shifts the focus to gaining advantage, especially from people, rules, or resources. 'Overuse' is narrower: it simply means using too much, even without bad intent. 'Misapply' is the most formal and often appears with rules, money, or ideas put to the wrong purpose. So a doctor may warn about patients who abuse pain pills, a teacher may say a student misused school equipment, and a judge may say an official exploited emergency powers or misapplied the law.

abuse ↗misuse ↗exploit ↗overusemisapply

Common collocations

Nouns

  • abuse allegation
  • abuse case
  • abuse victim

Adverbs

  • openly abuse
  • repeatedly abuse
  • badly abuse

Phrases

  • suffer abuse
  • report abuse
  • accused of abuse

Prepositions

  • abuse of
  • abuse by
  • abuse from

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word came into English through Old French from Latin. Its older Latin source was 'abusus', linked to the verb 'abuti', which meant using something up, using it wrongly, or going too far with it. That history explains why the earliest core idea in English was bad or excessive use, and why later meanings grew naturally into cruel treatment and insulting language.