Synonyms of abuses

abuses 1 of 2

noun

plural of abuse

1

as in insults

harsh insulting language

hometown fans hurled abuse at the visiting team

Synonyms & Similar Words

• insults
• criticisms
• vituperations
• invectives
• curses
• scurrilities
• fulminations
• vitriols
• epithets
• slurs
• obloquies
• blasphemies
• vilifications
• billingsgates
• reprimands
• maledictions
• imprecations
• profanities
• disparagements
• execrations
• blackguardisms
• excoriations
• expletives
• rebukes
• polemics
• swearwords
• tirades
• castigations
• chastisements
• reproofs
• aspersions
• put-downs
• revilements
• diatribes
• harangues
• belittlements
• opprobriums
• broadsides

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• praises
• acclaim
• commendations
• compliments
• congratulations
• applauses
• endearments
• felicitations
• flatteries
• soft soaps
• adulations
• overpraises
• blarneys

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

• misuses
• perversions
• misapplications
• corruptions
• misusages
• misemployments
• misutilizations
• ruins
• debasements
• mismanagements
• mistreatments
• destructions
• damages
• desecrations
• ill-treatments
• prostitutions
• maltreatments
• profanations
• ill-usages

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• applications
• uses
• employments
• utilizations

abuses

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of abuse

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

• bullies
• tortures
• misuses
• oppresses
• violates
• mistreats
• injures
• hurts
• brutalizes
• persecutes
• maltreats
• outrages
• manhandles
• takes apart
• mishandles
• ill-treats
• ill-uses
• torments
• harasses
• harms
• messes over
• molests
• wrongs
• victimizes
• kicks around
• works (over)
• beats (up)
• burns
• sandbags
• roughs (up)
• messes (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fosters
• cares (for)
• nurtures
• cherishes
• babies
• favors
• indulges
• caters (to)
• spoils
• gratifies
• pampers
• humors
• coddles
• mollycoddles

2

as in attacks

to criticize harshly and usually publicly

a demanding, difficult patient who constantly abuses the nurses and aides

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attacks
• slams
• scolds
• insults
• criticizes
• blasts
• savages
• excoriates
• jumps (on)
• assails
• curses
• ties into
• vituperates
• harasses
• bashes
• lambastes
• castigates
• belabors
• sails into
• scathes
• trashes
• affronts
• reviles
• potshots
• reprimands
• harangues
• beats up on
• berates
• blasphemes
• lights into
• harries
• slurs
• slanders
• execrates
• disparages
• belittles
• profanes
• libels
• whips
• vilifies
• imprecates
• rebukes
• bad-mouths
• chastises
• fulminates
• lashes (out)
• chides
• asperses
• traduces
• blackguards
• laces (into)
• puts down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• praises
• commends
• compliments
• hails
• lauds
• acclaims

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

• misuses
• perverts
• prostitutes
• misapplies
• profanes
• corrupts
• twists
• degrades
• misemploys
• desecrates
• mismanages
• debases

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• uses
• applies
• employs
• utilizes
• respects

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

• exploits
• uses
• manipulates
• leverages
• plays (on or upon)
• imposes (on or upon)
• capitalizes (on)
• cashes in (on)
• milks
• walks on
• cheats
• pimps
• trades on
• works
• mistreats
• overcharges
• jerks around
• bleeds
• commodifies
• sticks
• fleeces
• soaks
• commercializes
• skins

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of abuses

Noun

Human rights groups and United Nations officials have accused the Syrian government of widespread abuses in its detention facilities, including torture and arbitrary detention of thousands of people, in many cases without informing their families. — ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026

In his latest movie, Johnny Knoxville nearly gets electrocuted on a fence and pees himself, clings to the hood of a speeding jeep, and suffers numerous other physical abuses. — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026

Investigators also accuse Iran’s theocratic government of crimes against humanity in crushing dissent, citing killings, torture and looming executions, and urge both Washington and Tehran to halt abuses and compensate victims. — Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

But the term also alludes to deeply harmful and violent abuses against Black Americans throughout history. — Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2026

Even when particular acts cannot be directly attributed to the government, investigators said, Venezuelan authorities have failed to prevent, investigate and punish abuses committed by the groups. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026

While rights activists accuse Bukele's government of widespread abuses, the country is notably safer than many other countries whose people have recently lost TPS protections. — Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026

As license plate readers continue to draw concerns over the possibilities of abuses of those systems, the Oconomowoc Area School District is weighing whether to continue using its own Flock Safety cameras. — Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 11 Sep. 2026

ProPublica — This story was originally published by ProPublica, a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. — Andrea Suozzo, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

Verb

Detectives will continue investigating these cases aggressively, and anyone who abuses their position with a child will be held accountable. — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026

New York City’s child welfare agency routinely abuses its emergency power to take children from their parents without a court order, creating lifelong consequences for families, a new class-action lawsuit seeking to end the practice alleged Thursday. — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 28 May 2026

People deserve a government that watches out for our people’s best interests, not one that abuses its powers and sells us to the highest bidder. — Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026

According to Lewkowitz, if a grower abuses the soil, the system ceases to be viable, leaving zero likelihood of success from a sustainability standpoint. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 27 Apr. 2026

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

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

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