1
as in insult
harsh insulting language
hometown fans hurled abuse at the visiting team
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of abuse
Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2025
But recent operations targeting high-profile gang leaders have not led to any breakthroughs and instead raised concerns at the U.N., the Caribbean Community and elsewhere about collateral damage and human-rights abuses.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 28 June 2025
Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 23 June 2025
The suit argued that California and the Environmental Protection Agency under President Biden were abusing their power by relying on the 1970s-era rule for fighting smog as a means of combating climate change in the 21st century.
—David G. Savage, Boston Herald, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for abuse
Noun
As reported in a 2021 Rolling Stone exposé, more than a dozen women came forward with allegations of abuse against Manson, real name Brian Warner, including Evan Rachel Wood, actress Esmé Bianco, model Ashley Morgan, and Warner’s former personal assistant, Ashley Walters.
—Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 28 June 2025
But recent operations targeting high-profile gang leaders have not led to any breakthroughs and instead raised concerns at the U.N., the Caribbean Community and elsewhere about collateral damage and human-rights abuses.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 28 June 2025
Verb
My approach has always been to use but never abuse that trust.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 23 June 2025
The suit argued that California and the Environmental Protection Agency under President Biden were abusing their power by relying on the 1970s-era rule for fighting smog as a means of combating climate change in the 21st century.
—David G. Savage, Boston Herald, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for abuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abuse
Noun
-
Adding insult, he was called for eight fouls in Tuesday night’s victory over the Golden State Warriors, with players allowed 10 in summer league, four above the regular-season maximum.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
9 July 2025
-
Amid the mix of compliments and insults from obvious trolls, many thought ATB bore a striking resemblance to another member of the family.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
There were 11 deaths resulting from fireworks misuse or malfunction.—
Maddie Carr
July 4,
Kansas City Star,
4 July 2025
-
Monitor, Detect And Continuously Improve: Continuously monitor AI behavior to detect anomalies and misuse.—
Art Gilliland,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
Verb
-
Well, in Alva’s case, in the months after her very public divorce, the New York Times society column straight up bullied her by writing stories about all the super fun parties and balls her sister-in-law Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt threw while Alva was in exile.—
Alexis Nedd,
IndieWire,
2 July 2025
-
For years, Griffin never talked about being bullied as a child.—
Brad Schmitt,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
Making homes more energy efficient is also a way to reduce carbon emissions, and thus attack the cause of more frequent and severe heat waves.—
Marianne Krasny,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
-
The main target of the attack was Kyiv and the surrounding region, with Chernihiv, Sumy, Poltava, Kirovohrad and Kharkiv regions also attacked, the president said.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
Taiwanese soldiers stand by for a drill using an MIM-104 Patriot short-range anti-aircraft missile system at an air base in Taichung City, central Taiwan, on January 8, 2025.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 July 2025
-
In this case, the Department of Homeland Security directly contacted state officials about using a quiet, remote airstrip to put up a soft-sided series of structures in which ICE detainees could be held pending court hearings.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
6 July 2025
Noun
-
Nearly a dozen law enforcement agencies statewide have signed partnership agreements with ICE, drawing criticisms from some residents.—
Lucas Aulbach,
The Courier-Journal,
8 July 2025
-
The court decision triggered calls from Republicans and Democrats alike to fund the bill, as well as criticism about the impact of partisan politics on delaying a program focused on youth literacy.—
Cleo Krejci,
jsonline.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
Jon Burge extracted a false confession from Wilson by beating him and torturing him with electrical shocks, according to Wilson’s lawsuit.—
Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
10 July 2025
-
Some were arrested, some allegedly tortured, others beaten up, even killed, according to Azeri media.—
Melik Kaylan,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
Officials want Indianapolis parents to take responsibility for their children Speaking at a news conference over the weekend, Bailey scolded parents for allowing their children out at night unsupervised.—
Matthew Cupelli,
IndyStar,
7 July 2025
-
Trump has publicly scolded Massie for his opposition.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abuse. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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