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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Recent Examples of abuse
Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2025
Becciu, 76, was convicted in 2023 by the Vatican's criminal court on charges of embezzlement and abuse of office following a high-profile trial that raised questions about the Vatican's judicial process.
—Dan Cody, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Nothing is satisfying when people are being killed and abused and manipulated, because of their trauma.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abuse
Noun
Both projects shine a spotlight on abuses of minors in the hugely popular family-vlogging space.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2025
Becciu, 76, was convicted in 2023 by the Vatican's criminal court on charges of embezzlement and abuse of office following a high-profile trial that raised questions about the Vatican's judicial process.
—Dan Cody, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Verb
Democrats were the first to abuse the emergency power: in two-term Presidencies, Bill Clinton declared seventeen national emergencies, and Barack Obama twelve.
—Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Nothing is satisfying when people are being killed and abused and manipulated, because of their trauma.
—Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abuse
Noun
-
The order is so blatant in its attempt to rewrite history that to call it Orwellian would be something of an insult to Big Brother.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
29 Apr. 2025
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Years of insults and escalating tension came to a boiling point during the first press conference when Eubank Jr. slapped Benn in the face with an egg—an act that drew outrage and went viral.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But now, Republicans in the state House of Representatives say the alleged misuse of funds may warrant a criminal investigation.—
Greg Allen,
NPR,
24 Apr. 2025
-
This is not to suggest that the IRS should scale back its oversight of the R&D credit, as doing so could lead to greater misuse of the credit.—
Nathan Goldman,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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There have been 604 bullying and harassment cases, an average of 55 a year.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
25 Apr. 2025
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So, thank you for bullying me into getting surgical hair replacement.—
Joey Nolfi,
EW.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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According to a 2021 report by the Lowy Institute, almost one in five Chinese Australians reported being physically threatened or attacked in the previous year.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
29 Apr. 2025
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The account commonly attacks news publications and posts comments criticizing reporting about Hegseth and the Defense Department.—
Eleanor Watson,
CBS News,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Mangione handed arriving officers a fake New Jersey ID that was used at the New York City hostel days earlier and was subsequently arrested.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
-
This is down to interest from global industry heavyweights who, according to Verge, expressed a desire to use the Finnish brand's technology and expertise.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The move came after White House staffers lobbed criticism at comments made by Ruffin that were critical of the Trump administration.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
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This comes as the Trump administration has faced growing criticisms for its hurried proceedings to remove as many noncitizens from the country as quickly as possible.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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He was allegedly held in a clandestine detention site and tortured by intelligence agents.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2025
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If Episode 2 was the depiction of fire and uncontrollable rage — with Tommy flaming down an unrelenting monster known as a bloater, and Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) torturing and killing Joel — Episode 3 is the opposite.—
Maira Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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That, in the end, is the heart of the spectacle of Noem’s militaristic videos and Leavitt’s scolding and lies.—
Constance Grady,
Vox,
25 Apr. 2025
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Today's top stories President Trump scolded Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday after Russia launched a deadly strike on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abuse. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
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