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
Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
In any other profession, mine included as an architect, such deliberate abuses would end a career.
—Micah Kimball, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025
In Scott’s case, though, progressives who would usually be attuned to abuses in the Australian criminal-justice system are the same figures demanding accountability for unredressed hate crimes.
—Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Israel's prison service defends its treatment, but human rights groups report serious abuses.
—Greg Myre, NPR, 13 Oct. 2025
Gables then filed a federal lawsuit this summer accusing Rhymes of physical assault and other workplace abuses.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2025
ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power.
—Jodi S. Cohen, ProPublica, 13 Oct. 2025
Local human rights abuses didn’t make it into anyone’s set either.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2025
Since the turn of the millennium, no fewer than seven presidents have been brought to trial or faced legal challenges relating to allegations of corruption or human rights abuses.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025
Derrik Klassen, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
But outside of the ring, Christy hides and represses her lesbianism and winds up marrying her trainer Jim Martin (Ben Foster), who manipulates and physically abuses her.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
The Antioch Police Department helped pioneer the effort in 2015, shortly before multiple scandals ripped through the agency amid claims of widespread civil rights abuses, violent arrest tactics and racist policing.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
In any other profession, mine included as an architect, such deliberate abuses would end a career.
—Micah Kimball, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025
In Scott’s case, though, progressives who would usually be attuned to abuses in the Australian criminal-justice system are the same figures demanding accountability for unredressed hate crimes.
—Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
Israel's prison service defends its treatment, but human rights groups report serious abuses.
—Greg Myre, NPR, 13 Oct. 2025
Gables then filed a federal lawsuit this summer accusing Rhymes of physical assault and other workplace abuses.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2025
ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power.
—Jodi S. Cohen, ProPublica, 13 Oct. 2025
Local human rights abuses didn’t make it into anyone’s set either.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2025
Since the turn of the millennium, no fewer than seven presidents have been brought to trial or faced legal challenges relating to allegations of corruption or human rights abuses.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
Bowles abuses those pass-blocking rules by stunting the three-technique, Logan Hall (90), across the left guard's face, knowing the guard will follow him.
—Derrik Klassen, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
But outside of the ring, Christy hides and represses her lesbianism and winds up marrying her trainer Jim Martin (Ben Foster), who manipulates and physically abuses her.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abuses
Noun
-
Politico counted 251 instances of derogatory insults in the group chat, interspersed with logistical conversations about social media strategies and collecting votes.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Walking away from a fight or turning the other cheek at someone hurling insults your way would be an insult to our own ego and pride.—
Ed Lavandera,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
With Pervis Estupinan or Davide Bartesaghi holding width on the left and No 9 Santiago Gimenez dragging defenders away, Pulisic attacks the gap between centre-back and full-back, arriving in stride rather than starting wide.—
Sukhman Singh,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
-
If the person is untreated, the methanol metabolizes into formic acid, which attacks the optic nerve and nervous system, leading to blindness, organ failure or death within 48 hours.—
Alessandra Freitas,
CNN Money,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Malware often exploits vulnerabilities in outdated systems, so regularly updating your operating system, antivirus and productivity tools adds another layer of protection against future attacks.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
9 Oct. 2025
-
This kind of fraud, resembling that experienced by Anthony, exploits a person’s emotions, inciting fear and anxiety, by impersonating a grandchild or other family member in distress.—
Madhusree Mukerjee,
Scientific American,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Notable criticisms or calls for change from Sharaa’s Sunni base emerged such as Syrian tycoon Ayman al-Asfari, who was among dozens of signatories on a July 23 statement demanding an inclusive government and new constitution.—
Hassan Hassan,
Time,
11 Oct. 2025
-
One of Collier’s criticisms of Engelbert was addressing poor officiating.—
Shannon Ryan,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The mistake tortures them, which prompts the couple to try and solve the mystery by producing a fake play in an attempt to get their ex-neighbor Mary (Chloe Cherry) to audition.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Head slams right into the turf.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Build a heavily-armored door that slams shut via a trigger and control panel, and get ready to battle with the rotating turret.—
Anja Webb,
Parents,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Reports of early concepts include a screenless, wearable device that uses voice input and subtle haptics, envisioned more as an ambient companion than a traditional gadget.—
MacKenzie Sigalos,
CNBC,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Among the allegations, the USTR determined that China uses state subsidies to lessen competition and create dependencies on the country for non-market entrants.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Instead of relying on pigments or coatings, LightRipple manipulates reflection and refraction at the microscopic level, producing a dynamic play of gold and shadow that shifts subtly as the case moves.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Complicating matters is the insidious Host character (voiced by Len Cunningham’s father, Liam Cunningham), who manipulates the players’ reality.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abuses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abuses. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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