1
as in insults
harsh insulting language
hometown fans hurled abuse at the visiting team
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in misuses
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 bullies
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 attacks
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 perverts
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 exploits
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 abuses
Oriana Van Praag, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
McMorris added that public agencies ca,n be more vulnerable to contracting abuses without strong safeguards, pointing to practices such as limits on no-bid contracts, multi-level approval processes, regular audits and stricter controls on contract changes and cost overruns.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 28 Mar. 2026
The latest discovery coincides with growing concern among some Kenyans over rights abuses allegedly perpetrated by the police.
—ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
But, as many communities and institutions wrestle with secret abuses committed by their members, some argue that whisper networks can protect vulnerable people.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 26 Mar. 2026
Observers say this leaves room for human rights abuses by governments.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
The investigation, which featured photography by Barbara Davidson and graphics from Times senior data and graphics journalist Lorena Iñiguez Elebee, exposed child labor abuses on California farms and the lack of regulatory oversight.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Tarazona says the building should become a memorial center — like Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was held for more than 18 years in South Africa — so the abuses that the prisoners endured will not be forgotten.
—Manuel Rueda, NPR, 20 Mar. 2026
This matters because, until now, legal responsibility for labor abuses has largely stopped with the direct employer.
—Anna Bryher, Sourcing Journal, 20 Mar. 2026
Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Its leader, the president, abuses power, hurts the innocent, and mocks the dead before their families have even begun to grieve.
—Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2026
During the tantrum, the child verbally abuses the parent and also destroys property within the home.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 15 Mar. 2026
The insurer said during a Senate committee hearing that Nutex abuses the independent dispute resolution process, which was intended by the federal No Surprises Act to be a last resort in cases where providers and health insurers can’t agree on what should be paid for out-of-network care.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
Malware often abuses them to take control of your device.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
As a child, Heathcliff’s main tormenter is Cathy’s brother, Hindley, who physically abuses Heathcliff and forces him to work in the stables as a servant.
—Becky Little, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
In the final video, Pierce can be seen shirtless, with bruises showing, while Ruffin verbally abuses him, Facklam said.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
In the film, Victor emotionally abuses the Creature.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
The case could have wide-ranging consequences on efforts to document and track the activities and abuses of immigration agents.
—Oriana Van Praag, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
McMorris added that public agencies ca,n be more vulnerable to contracting abuses without strong safeguards, pointing to practices such as limits on no-bid contracts, multi-level approval processes, regular audits and stricter controls on contract changes and cost overruns.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 28 Mar. 2026
The latest discovery coincides with growing concern among some Kenyans over rights abuses allegedly perpetrated by the police.
—ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
But, as many communities and institutions wrestle with secret abuses committed by their members, some argue that whisper networks can protect vulnerable people.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 26 Mar. 2026
Observers say this leaves room for human rights abuses by governments.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
The investigation, which featured photography by Barbara Davidson and graphics from Times senior data and graphics journalist Lorena Iñiguez Elebee, exposed child labor abuses on California farms and the lack of regulatory oversight.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Tarazona says the building should become a memorial center — like Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was held for more than 18 years in South Africa — so the abuses that the prisoners endured will not be forgotten.
—Manuel Rueda, NPR, 20 Mar. 2026
This matters because, until now, legal responsibility for labor abuses has largely stopped with the direct employer.
—Anna Bryher, Sourcing Journal, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
Under my watch, anyone who abuses wildlife in Florida will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Its leader, the president, abuses power, hurts the innocent, and mocks the dead before their families have even begun to grieve.
—Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2026
During the tantrum, the child verbally abuses the parent and also destroys property within the home.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 15 Mar. 2026
The insurer said during a Senate committee hearing that Nutex abuses the independent dispute resolution process, which was intended by the federal No Surprises Act to be a last resort in cases where providers and health insurers can’t agree on what should be paid for out-of-network care.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 5 Mar. 2026
Malware often abuses them to take control of your device.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 Feb. 2026
As a child, Heathcliff’s main tormenter is Cathy’s brother, Hindley, who physically abuses Heathcliff and forces him to work in the stables as a servant.
—Becky Little, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
In the final video, Pierce can be seen shirtless, with bruises showing, while Ruffin verbally abuses him, Facklam said.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
In the film, Victor emotionally abuses the Creature.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abuses
Noun
-
Cyrus said, with the two characters throwing insults at each other constantly.—
Kirsten Chuba,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Quinlan is proud protesters have ignored MAGA supporters who have driven past, waving flags, honking horns and shouting insults during previous events.—
Steve Metsch,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Second, that the occasional misuses of that discretion would be few, far between, and manageable by the court system through robust testing and oversight.—
Paul Rosenzweig,
The Atlantic,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Collective action deters bullies Harvard never stood alone.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
1 Feb. 2026
-
There’s always a mean kid in your class who bullies everybody else.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Mills attacks Platner's past comments This month, the governor returned to Platner's controversial social media posts, triggering an exchange of advertising that has largely overshadowed the Democrats' arguments to defeat Collins.—
Steve Mistler,
NPR,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Oil tanker traffic through the strait has plunged as Iran attacks commercial ships in the Persian Gulf.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Somehow, though, these exploits make for dreary reading.—
Matt Weinstock,
New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Consider how Russia exploits disasters and climate debates.—
Michael Chertoff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Thune didn't publicly address the barrage of criticisms from Johnson's membership on Friday.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
-
This goes beyond the confusion between antisemitism and criticisms of Israel.—
Laura Einhorn,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The retrospection tortures her.—
Alexandra Rockey Fleming,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Later, in one of the movie's most satisfying scenes, Millie locks Andrew in the attic and tortures him by loudly smashing each plate.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Flight 8646 slams into the fire truck.—
Michael R. Sisak,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
-
In the first season, Ronald meets James Marsden and immediately slams one of his films.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abuses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abuses. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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