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
Britten is facing 11 charges related to Nola's death, including child abuse resulting in death, child abuse, child neglect and accessory to murder after the fact. Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 11 July 2025 Oscar Guerra, 27, has been booked on one felony count of child abuse. Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 11 July 2025
Verb
He’s been accused in multiple lawsuits of abusing boarding school students and has an ongoing case in Cole County involving a substantiated child abuse/neglect finding against him in 2023 by the Department of Social Services. Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2025 After Doe came forward and police investigated his claims, three other victims who were abused before 2009 were discovered, according to the lawsuit. Richard Winton follow, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 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
  • Data governance will aid in preventing misuse of cybersecurity.
    Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Because chatbots can be used in so many different ways (and because they are often trained on some of the sketchier parts of the internet), designing products that anticipate all possible forms of misuse can be difficult.
    Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • During his childhood, he was isolated and bullied and eventually became addicted to heroin and struggled with his weight.
    Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 20 July 2025
  • Edmondson bullied Lapin the entire round and the Ukrainian looked gas.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
Verb
  • But one cost of that strong-arm approach quickly became apparent when Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina announced his retirement right after after Trump attacked him for opposing the bill, creating an open seat that will become Democrats’ best Senate opportunity in 2026.
    Ronald Brownstein, Twin Cities, 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
  • This is when the teen uses social conflict to express frustration.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • The treatment had never been used on a species of raptor before, but Ammann took a leap and sent them an email.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 6 July 2025
Noun
  • The Washington football franchise changed its name from the Washington Redskins to the Commanders after decades of criticism about its name and logo.
    Annabella Rosciglione, The Washington Examiner, 20 July 2025
  • In 2024, a girl in Madison, Wisconsin, participated in the event with her mother, provoking severe criticism particularly from Wisconsin Republican politicians who tried to ban the event this year.
    Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 20 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

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Cite this Entry

“Abuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abuse. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.

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