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

This keeps the performance informal and keeps the narrative — a staggering odyssey of injustices, abuses, travel adventures, extraordinary coincidences, losses, reunions, reflections and self-analysis — from becoming sensationalized. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026

Baldwin alleged that decision was just one part of a pattern of disturbing prosecutorial abuses, including presenting false information to the grand jury, failing to disclose two firearms reports, and filing an unlawful gun enhancement. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026

With majority power comes bigger budgets and staff, and the ability to investigate, subpoena and potentially course-correct what the Democrats say are widespread corruption and abuses of power. — Lisa Mascaro, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026

The party has been criticized internationally for human rights abuses against Haitian immigrants. — Kendall Medford, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026

The Special Criminal Court was established to try war crimes and other human-rights abuses committed during the coups and violence that the country has experienced since 2003. — Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026

The Special Criminal Court was established to try war crimes and other human rights abuses committed during the coups and violence that the country has experienced since 2003. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026

The Biden administration imposed the measures in 2021 over human rights abuses committed during the Tigray war in neighboring Ethiopia. — Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 21 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

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