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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of abuse
Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025
When these systems break under the stress of abuse, neglect, or general incompetence, bad things happen.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 14 May 2025
Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025
Many of those who reported the abuse over the course of decades — including some abused by dozens of perpetrators — were told to be quiet or simply disregarded, the lawyers and lawsuits allege.
—Jeff McDonald, Mercury News, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for abuse
Noun
Since joining the Miami Herald in 1999, he’s covered the federal courts nonstop, from Elian Gonzalez’s custody battle to Alex Rodriguez’s steroid abuse.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025
When these systems break under the stress of abuse, neglect, or general incompetence, bad things happen.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 14 May 2025
Verb
There’s also concern about chronic complaints about bad operators who abuse insurance or summarily evict residents who relapse.
—Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025
Many of those who reported the abuse over the course of decades — including some abused by dozens of perpetrators — were told to be quiet or simply disregarded, the lawyers and lawsuits allege.
—Jeff McDonald, Mercury News, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for abuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abuse
Noun
-
They were quickly showered with boos and insults, along with various food items and beverages, including my mother’s large Pepsi.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
17 May 2025
-
The statue was widely reviled by locals, who saw its abstract look as ugly and an insult to the first lady.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
For example, phishing click rates, credential misuse and browsing violations are behaviors that often lead to breaches.—
Masha Sedova,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
-
The report highlights countries like Brazil and Colombia for undermining patent rights through compulsory licensing misuse, unreasonable patentability standards and delays in granting or enforcing patents.—
Scott Suckow,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2025
Verb
-
His rustiness was evident, as he was bullied off the ball often and punished for an uncharacteristically poor first touch at the Emirates Stadium.—
Harry De Cosemo,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
-
But he’s bullied at that school, and even at home, things rarely go his way.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
20 May 2025
Verb
-
There are several leaf spotting diseases that can attack hydrangeas.—
Janet B. Carson,
Arkansas Online,
23 May 2025
-
According to authorities, Ward told them the fight and stabbing were self-defense, claiming the mother attacked and punched her several times in the face.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
23 May 2025
Verb
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Berry was 14 when a classmate used an AI app to attach a nude body to an Instagram photo of her face, before circulating it on social media.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
20 May 2025
-
Educators will have canoes and kayaks, paddles and life jackets to use and will offer instruction.—
Flip Putthoff,
Arkansas Online,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
Also rejected was a proposal soliciting a report on warehouse working conditions, a perennial source of criticism of the company.—
Greg Bensinger,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
-
The previous reports that the Department of Justice was investigating UnitedHealth for Medicare fraud brought criticism of the company, with its stock falling by 17% last Thursday.—
Morgan Kromer,
The Washington Examiner,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Investigators say the group allegedly lured the former business partner back from Italy to access his cryptocurrency account and then kidnapped and tortured him for weeks.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 May 2025
-
According to the report, dissidents —including soldiers, opposition activists, human rights defenders, journalists and ordinary citizens— are being arbitrarily detained, forcibly disappeared, tortured, and subjected to sham trials.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2025
Verb
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Five months after beating New York Red Bulls for the club’s sixth MLS Cup title, the Galaxy lost the rematch 7-0 in New York — seven-nil — prompting an impromptu team scolding on the field by Vanney after the final whistle.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 May 2025
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The moment a golden retriever and his feline friend were scolded by their owner for their behavior during her trip has left people in stitches.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abuse. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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