abuse
noun
\
Definition of abuse
(Entry 1 of 2)
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
abuse
verb
\
Definition of abuse (Entry 2 of 2)
1a : 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
Keep scrolling for more
Other Words from abuse
Verb
\
adjective
Synonyms for abuse
Synonyms: Noun
fulmination, invective, vitriol, vituperation
Synonyms: Verb
assail, attack, bash, belabor, blast, castigate, excoriate, jump (on), lambaste (or lambast), potshot, savage, scathe, slam, vituperate
Visit the Thesaurus for More
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: Noun
At least eight North Carolina agencies have launched investigations into the abuses Reveal exposed at Recovery Connections. — Amy Julia Harris And Shoshana Walter, charlotteobserver, "North Carolina rehab under investigation for food stamp fraud," 13 July 2018 Intimate photos of the aftermath of the abuse circulated all over the internet. — Kathryn Lindsay, refinery29.com, "Why Be Engaged When You Can Be An Ex?," 13 July 2018 While questions remain whether coaches and administrators knew about abuse by Strauss, there's little doubt the practice facility was an uncomfortable place for athletes. — chicagotribune.com, "Former wrestlers detail 'creepy people' and lewd atmosphere at Ohio State," 12 July 2018 While questions remain whether coaches and administrators knew about abuse by Strauss, there's little doubt the practice facility was an uncomfortable place for athletes. — CBS News, ""A gauntlet of sexual deviancy": Ex-athletes describe lewd atmosphere at Ohio State," 12 July 2018 One of the most powerful conservatives in the House, who is also considering a bid for House speaker, at least seven former wrestlers have accused Jordan of knowing about the abuse but doing nothing. — Tara Golshan, Vox, "Rep. Jim Jordan is now attacking CNN for reaching out to his former staffers and interns," 11 July 2018 Alaniz allegedly told police the abuse began a month earlier and involved slapping, hitting and kicking the victim in the head. — Matt Campbell, kansascity, "Mother accused of leaving son to be abused by boyfriend; infant was severely beaten," 11 July 2018 The building at Dozier known as the White House is where some of the worst abuse occurred. — Carol Marbin Miller, miamiherald, "A victim of vile abuse at Florida reform school, he spent his life fighting for justice," 10 July 2018 Entangled in the situation is powerful House member Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), who was an OSU assistant coach at the time and has denied knowing about any abuse during his tenure. — Jr Radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wrestling coaches with Wisconsin ties are embroiled in Ohio State scandal, including powerful House member Jim Jordan," 9 July 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Meanwhile, many cyclists have turned to abusing legal drugs for marginal gains, getting away with it through therapeutic-use exemptions, or TUEs. — Marc Peruzzi, Outside Online, "Stop Boycotting Pro Cycling," 6 July 2018 Michael Sears/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel To abuse a child is to steal that child's story. — Crocker Stephenson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A photo, a message: Survivors of sexual abuse reclaim their stories," 19 June 2018 Some said Hinton repeatedly abused Tortice, both physically and mentally. — Felicia Fonseca, The Seattle Times, "Arizona man sentenced to 8 years in death of teen girlfriend," 10 July 2018 The Orlando Police Department plans to continue its test of Amazon’s facial recognition software, despite outcry from civil rights groups concerned that the technology could be abused. — Ryan Gillespie, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Orlando police plan to extend test of Amazon facial-recognition software," 9 July 2018 Last month, Michigan State University agreed to pay $500 million to women Nassar abused while working at the university. — Julyssa Lopez, Glamour, "Former Team USA Gymnastics Doctor Larry Nassar Has Been Charged With Sexual Assault in Texas," 30 June 2018 More than 300 women and girls have come forward to allege they were abused by Nassar, including Olympic champions Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas, Jordyn Wieber and McKayla Maroney. — Rachel Axon, USA TODAY, "USOC names new CEO at critical time for Olympic movement," 12 July 2018 But the report also prompted women who said they had been abused by the Sakyong to come forward, providing material for the second report, released June 28. — Andy Newman, New York Times, "The ‘King’ of Shambhala Buddhism Is Undone by Abuse Report," 11 July 2018 Gahan told police in an initial interview in March that Tebo did not tell him one student had claimed he had been abused, and was under the impression that both stated nothing had happened. — Nicole Aimone, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Waukesha School District administrator didn't report student's sexual assault, complaint says," 6 July 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'abuse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for abuse
abuse
noun
\
Kids Definition of abuse
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : wrong or unfair treatment or use abuse of power
2 : the act or practice of improperly using or of using in harmful amounts drug abuse
3 : harmful treatment of a person or an animal
4 : harsh insulting language “Never a kind word for old Templeton, only abuse and wisecracks …”— E. B. White, Charlotte's Web
5 : a dishonest practice election abuses
abuse
verb
\
Kids Definition of abuse (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : to treat in a cruel or harmful way abuse an animal
2 : to use wrongly : misuse abuse privileges
3 : to use improperly or in harmful amounts abuse drugs
4 : to blame or scold rudely
abuse
noun
\
Medical Definition of abuse
(Entry 1 of 2)
1 : improper or excessive use or treatment drug abuse long-term abuse of tranquilizers
2 : physical maltreatment: as
a : the act of violating sexually : rape
b under some statutes : rape or indecent assault not amounting to rape
abuse
transitive verb
\
Medical Definition of abuse (Entry 2 of 2)
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
3a : masturbate
b : to subject to abuse and especially to rape or indecent assault
Other Words from abuse
\
adjective
abuse
transitive verb
\
Legal Definition of abuse
(Entry 1 of 2)
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
2a : 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
abuse
noun
\
Legal Definition of abuse (Entry 2 of 2)
1 : improper, unfair, or excessive use abuse of authority drug abuse
2a : 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 : sexual abuse
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
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on abuse
What made you want to look up abuse? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz
-
- Which of the following Q-without-U words means the number five in cards or dice?
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Share abuse
Resources for abuse