1
: a corrupt practice or custom
the buying of votes and other election abuses
2
: improper or excessive use or treatment : misuse
drug abuse
3
: language that condemns or vilifies usually unjustly, intemperately, and angrily
verbal abuse
a term of abuse
4
: physical maltreatment
child abuse
sexual abuse
5
obsolete
: a deceitful act : deception
abused; abusing
1
a
: to put to a wrong or improper use
abuse a privilege
b
: to use excessively
abuse alcohol
also
: to use without medical justification
abusing painkillers
2
: to use or treat so as to injure or damage : maltreat
abused his wife
3
: to attack in words : revile
verbally abused the referee
4
obsolete
: deceive
abuser
noun
Synonyms
Examples of abuse in a Sentence
Noun
He subjected his wife to physical and emotional abuse.
the buying of votes and other election abuses
She was subjected to every term of abuse her boss could think of.
a torrent of verbal abuse
The prisoner hurled abuse at the judge.
Verb
He was accused of sexually abusing a child.
He abused his body with years of heavy drinking.
He had abused his first car by not taking care of it.
She abused her friend's trust.
a senator who abuses his power
He abused my confidence by letting this secret be known.
Recent Examples on the Web
Christine Shen, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2024
Another civil lawsuit alleging abuse by a contractor––against two psychologists who designed CIA torture techniques––settled in 2017 just before going to trial, resulting in damage awards for the victims or their families.
—Mallory Moench, TIME, 14 Apr. 2024
Dangerous complications The study, published Friday in the journal JAMA Health Forum, analyzed claims from an insurance database of people ages 15 and older to determine the number of emergency room visits and hospitalizations due to alcohol abuse during the pandemic.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
The Clooney Foundation for Justice, whose mission is to provide free legal support and advocacy to victims of genocide, unlawful imprisonment, and other human rights abuses, started 2024 with a new executive leadership team.
—Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024
The church and authorities have acknowledged multiple abuse claims that are not reflected in the initial criminal charges against Bymaster.
—Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
To be sure, there have been instances of FBI abuse of the system.
—The Editors, National Review, 12 Apr. 2024
Following the closure of the elder abuse investigation of John Amos, the actor is speaking out.
—Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
Now, three of them face charges of assault and child abuse, according to Shelby County jail records.
—Olivia Lloyd, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2024
Amrita Khalid, The Verge, 12 Apr. 2024
Examples of schools abusing their pricing power is part of the rationale the administration is using.
—Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
Legislation extending the program—controversial for being abused by the government—passed in the House in a 273–147 vote.
—Dell Cameron, WIRED, 12 Apr. 2024
In March 2021, Effie, who initially shared the anonymous allegations against Hammer, accused the actor of raping and physically abusing her.
—Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
The six former Mississippi law enforcement officers who tortured and abused two Black men in a racist attack were sentenced on Wednesday to 15 to 45 years in prison on state charges.
—Maria Piñero, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
Brown, a Jamaican immigrant, said drivers have been abused by Uber and Lyft for too long.
—Trisha Ahmed, Quartz, 8 Apr. 2024
Right-wing politicians, including Bolsonaro, have accused de Moraes of overstepping his authority and abusing his power, though many of de Moraes’ defenders argue that the judge’s approach is sound, given the fragility of democracy in the country.
—Chad De Guzman, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024
It’s revealed that Madu was abused by a dance instructor at a school in Nigeria.
—Common Sense Media, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
Noun
New Jersey and Rhode Island are two states that are considering or have already limited the use of non-disparagement agreements in severance agreements, especially when civil rights abuses are taking place.
—Christine Shen, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2024
Another civil lawsuit alleging abuse by a contractor––against two psychologists who designed CIA torture techniques––settled in 2017 just before going to trial, resulting in damage awards for the victims or their families.
—Mallory Moench, TIME, 14 Apr. 2024
Dangerous complications The study, published Friday in the journal JAMA Health Forum, analyzed claims from an insurance database of people ages 15 and older to determine the number of emergency room visits and hospitalizations due to alcohol abuse during the pandemic.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
The Clooney Foundation for Justice, whose mission is to provide free legal support and advocacy to victims of genocide, unlawful imprisonment, and other human rights abuses, started 2024 with a new executive leadership team.
—Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Apr. 2024
The church and authorities have acknowledged multiple abuse claims that are not reflected in the initial criminal charges against Bymaster.
—Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024
To be sure, there have been instances of FBI abuse of the system.
—The Editors, National Review, 12 Apr. 2024
Following the closure of the elder abuse investigation of John Amos, the actor is speaking out.
—Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
Now, three of them face charges of assault and child abuse, according to Shelby County jail records.
—Olivia Lloyd, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2024
Verb
The feature was also abused by scammers and online impersonators, and some blue checks became the target of online harassment or mass blocking.
—Amrita Khalid, The Verge, 12 Apr. 2024
Examples of schools abusing their pricing power is part of the rationale the administration is using.
—Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
Legislation extending the program—controversial for being abused by the government—passed in the House in a 273–147 vote.
—Dell Cameron, WIRED, 12 Apr. 2024
In March 2021, Effie, who initially shared the anonymous allegations against Hammer, accused the actor of raping and physically abusing her.
—Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
The six former Mississippi law enforcement officers who tortured and abused two Black men in a racist attack were sentenced on Wednesday to 15 to 45 years in prison on state charges.
—Maria Piñero, NBC News, 10 Apr. 2024
Brown, a Jamaican immigrant, said drivers have been abused by Uber and Lyft for too long.
—Trisha Ahmed, Quartz, 8 Apr. 2024
Right-wing politicians, including Bolsonaro, have accused de Moraes of overstepping his authority and abusing his power, though many of de Moraes’ defenders argue that the judge’s approach is sound, given the fragility of democracy in the country.
—Chad De Guzman, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024
It’s revealed that Madu was abused by a dance instructor at a school in Nigeria.
—Common Sense Media, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'abuse.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin abūsus "misuse, waste," noun derivative from abūtī "to exhaust, use up, misuse," from ab- ab- + ūtī "to use entry 1"
Verb
Middle English abusen, borrowed from Anglo-French abuser, verbal derivative of abuse abuse entry 1
First Known Use
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of abuse was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing abuse
Dictionary Entries Near abuse
Cite this Entry
“Abuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abuse. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
Medical Definition
abuse
2 of 2 transitive verb
abused; abusing
1
: to use excessively
abuse alcohol
also
: to use without medical justification
abusing painkillers
2
: to treat so as to injure or damage
abuse a child
3
a
b
: to subject to abuse and especially to rape or indecent assault
abuser
noun
Legal Definition
abuse
1 of 2 transitive verb
abused; abusing
1
: to put to a use other than the one intended: as
a
: to put to a bad or unfair use
abusing the powers of office
b
: to put to improper or excessive use
abuse narcotics
2
a
: to inflict physical or emotional mistreatment or injury on (as one's child) purposely or through negligence or neglect and often on a regular basis
b
: to engage in sexual activity with (a child under an age specified by statute)
3
: to attack harshly with words
abuse a police officer
abuse a debtor
abuser
noun
abuse
2 of 2 noun1
: improper, unfair, or excessive use
abuse of authority
drug abuse
2
a
: the infliction of physical or emotional injury
also
: the crime of inflicting such injury see also battered child syndrome, battered woman's syndrome compare cruelty, neglect
b
3
: a verbal attack (as on a police officer in the performance of his or her duty)
also
: the crime of making such an attack
More from Merriam-Webster on abuse
Nglish: Translation of abuse for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of abuse for Arabic Speakers
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