abuse 1 of 2

abuse

2 of 2

verb

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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

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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of abuse
Noun
Part sports-underdog biopic, part domestic-abuse-survivor’s tale, and a textbook example of why turning a true story into tony entertainment is a real tightrope walk, this drama has extremely recognizable beats. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 6 Sep. 2025 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is scouring payments covering health care for immigrants without legal status to ensure there isn't any waste, fraud or abuse, according to public records obtained by KFF Health News and The Associated Press. Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
By this point, the movie’s film-noir framework reveals ample psychological, moral, and symbolic dimensions, and one that is explicitly political—the potential for police officers to abuse their power and frame others for their own misdeeds. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2025 During closing arguments, prosecutor Bronwyn Nayci emphasized how Ramos-Aviles abused children for years — recounting the girls’ testimonies. Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abuse
Noun
  • Perhaps, like Elizabeth in the face of Darcy’s insult, Austen would also be prompted to spread spirited gossip about her heroine’s doubters and haters.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
  • When big gatherings of police and federal agents suddenly show up in residential areas, crowds often meet them with cell phone cameras, righteous indignation and insults.
    Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Sheen, 60, opens up about his misuse of drugs and alcohol which wreaked havoc on his health and career.
    Erin Jensen, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Much of the attention headed into Election Day was on Tiawana Brown’s quest to keep her seat amid a federal indictment over alleged misuse of COVID-19 relief funds and Marjorie Molina’s heated primary campaign.
    Mary Ramsey Updated September 9, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The first touchdown of the year was bullied into the end zone by Williams, who wouldn’t be done in this game.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Owen's best friend, Khloe Wilson, was suspected of sending the messages early in the investigation due to past tensions with Lauryn and bullying accusations.
    Allison DeGrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Charlie was the best of America, and the monster who attacked him was attacking our whole country.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Estonian police said the drone was likely en route to attack targets inside Russia.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Russian media reports suggested that Putin stopped using the residence from 2024 amid intensifying Ukrainian drone attacks.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Wash dirty hands before using a touchscreen or laptop keyboard.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Mourinho’s arrival at United was a response to some of the criticisms directed at his predecessor, Louis van Gaal.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Much of his criticism originates to when Elon Musk, a South African native, was a member of his administration.
    Emily Goodin, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Emily Brontë appears in every way indifferent to the need for love and companionship that tortured the lives of her sisters.
    Emily Temple September 5, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Jamie Simpson of Covington was sentenced in March to 60 years in prison for holding his wife captive and torturing her for hours before barricading himself inside her home in a lengthy standoff with police.
    Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In Part 2, viewers see Morticia scold her children for lying to her, yet Morticia is keeping secrets from Wednesday about her past and family.
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Family matriarch Donna Adelson was scolded by a judge Thursday for weeping in the courtroom after being convicted of orchestrating a 2014 murder-for-hire plot of her former son-in-law, a prominent Florida State University law professor.
    Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abuse. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

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