Synonyms of abuse

abuse 1 of 2

noun

ə-ˈbyüs 

1

as in insult

harsh insulting language

hometown fans hurled abuse at the visiting team

Synonyms & Similar Words

• insult
• criticism
• vituperation
• invective
• scurrility
• curse
• billingsgate
• vitriol
• fulmination
• obloquy
• blasphemy
• slur
• epithet
• reprimand
• profanity
• disparagement
• blackguardism
• vilification
• malediction
• imprecation
• belittlement
• rebuke
• expletive
• revilement
• tirade
• excoriation
• chastisement
• castigation
• polemic
• aspersion
• opprobrium
• reproof
• swearword
• execration
• diatribe
• harangue
• bad-mouthing
• put-down
• broadside

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• praise
• applause
• acclaim
• commendation
• compliments
• congratulations
• endearments
• flattery
• adulation
• felicitations
• soft soap
• overpraise
• blarney

2

as in misuse

incorrect or improper use

naturally the furniture had received a lot of abuse from the 10 kids in the family

Synonyms & Similar Words

• misuse
• misapplication
• perversion
• wrecking
• misusage
• destruction
• mismanagement
• misemployment
• misutilization
• mistreatment
• maltreatment
• mishandling
• spoiling
• corruption
• ill-treatment
• damage
• prostitution
• desecration
• ill-usage
• debasement
• ruin
• mismanaging
• profanation

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• use
• application
• employment
• utilization

abuse

2 of 2

verb

ə-ˈbyüz 

1

as in to bully

to inflict physical or emotional harm upon

if you abuse your pet, he will always have an ugly disposition

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bully
• torture
• misuse
• oppress
• mistreat
• violate
• injure
• hurt
• persecute
• maltreat
• brutalize
• take apart
• manhandle
• ill-use
• mishandle
• ill-treat
• harass
• torment
• outrage
• mess over
• harm
• molest
• kick around
• wrong
• victimize
• work (over)
• beat (up)
• rough (up)
• sandbag
• burn
• mess (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• care (for)
• foster
• nurture
• cherish
• baby
• favor
• indulge
• cater (to)
• spoil
• gratify
• humor
• coddle
• pamper
• mollycoddle

2

as in to attack

to criticize harshly and usually publicly

a demanding, difficult patient who constantly abuses the nurses and aides

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attack
• insult
• slam
• scold
• savage
• criticize
• blast
• jump (on)
• harass
• tie into
• assail
• curse
• vituperate
• excoriate
• trash
• sail into
• bash
• scathe
• castigate
• lambaste
• belabor
• revile
• beat up on
• potshot
• reprimand
• affront
• berate
• light into
• harangue
• slander
• libel
• blaspheme
• harry
• disparage
• slur
• profane
• belittle
• whip
• vilify
• execrate
• asperse
• blackguard
• chastise
• lash (out)
• imprecate
• rebuke
• lace (into)
• chide
• put down
• bad-mouth
• traduce
• fulminate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• praise
• commend
• hail
• compliment
• laud
• acclaim

3

as in to misuse

to put to a bad or improper use

if you abuse your baseball bat by using it to hammer nails, don't expect it to last long

Synonyms & Similar Words

• misuse
• pervert
• prostitute
• misapply
• corrupt
• profane
• degrade
• misemploy
• twist
• mismanage
• desecrate
• debase

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• use
• apply
• employ
• utilize
• respect

4

as in to use

to take unfair advantage of

abused his parents' trust, pilfering small amounts from them that he hoped they wouldn't notice

Synonyms & Similar Words

• use
• exploit
• leverage
• manipulate
• pimp
• play (on or upon)
• impose (on or upon)
• trade on
• walk on
• cash in (on)
• capitalize (on)
• milk
• cheat
• work
• mistreat
• jerk around
• overcharge
• skin
• bleed
• fleece
• soak
• stick
• commercialize
• commodify

Synonym Chooser

How is the word abuse distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of abuse are billingsgate, invective, obloquy, and vituperation. While all these words mean "vehemently expressed condemnation or disapproval," abuse, the most general term, usually implies the anger of the speaker and stresses the harshness of the language.

scathing verbal abuse

When might billingsgate be a better fit than abuse?

While in some cases nearly identical to abuse, billingsgate implies practiced fluency and variety of profane or obscene abuse.

directed a stream of billingsgate at the cabdriver

When would invective be a good substitute for abuse?

In some situations, the words invective and abuse are roughly equivalent. However, invective implies a comparable vehemence but suggests greater verbal and rhetorical skill and may apply to a public denunciation.

blistering political invective

When is obloquy a more appropriate choice than abuse?

While the synonyms obloquy and abuse are close in meaning, obloquy suggests defamation and consequent shame and disgrace.

subjected to obloquy and derision

Where would vituperation be a reasonable alternative to abuse?

The words vituperation and abuse can be used in similar contexts, but vituperation implies fluent and sustained abuse.

a torrent of vituperation

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of abuse

Noun

Taking a closer look at the societal environments that overshadow low-income communities must be in the equation when sincerely working to stop child abuse. —Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026

In addition, Banfield was indicted on a count of felony child abuse and neglect and felony child cruelty related to the killings in December 2024. —Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 11 Jan. 2026

Verb

First, the concept of merit leaves a lot of discretion, so the dominant group that defines merit will abuse that discretion to favor itself. —Kenji Yoshino, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026

This policy does not open the door to abuse. —Jeffrey Prang, Daily News, 23 Jan. 2026