1
as in bullying
to inflict physical or emotional harm upon
if you abuse your pet, he will always have an ugly disposition
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in attacking
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 misusing
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 exploiting
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
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 abusing
Victims who depend on the people abusing them face extraordinary pressure to minimize what is happening.
—
Anne P. Deprince, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026
That means, to avoid abusing the tires, drivers will need to manage their equipment as much as possible.
—Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Even outside of traditional television, the reality TV model has made millionaires of even more toxic matriarchs such as Ruby Framke, who amassed over 2 million YouTube subscribers by pimping out her children for clicks while criminally abusing them in secret.
—Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
Suzanne Buhler, who is accused of abusing a child during an incident at a park in Lincoln on March 16, 2026.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
In the report, two women alleged that Chavez began grooming and abusing them during his time as UFW president.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
Josh Duggar was accused of abusing underage girls, including four of his sisters.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
Earlier this month, Fox Lake mother Priscilla Marshall, 34, was accused of abusing her son for years and has been charged with domestic battery and child endangerment.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Cast member Dakota Mortensen has repeatedly reported Taylor Frankie Paul to the Utah Division of Child and Family Services for physically abusing the couple’s nearly 2-year-old son, according to TMZ.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2026
Anne P. Deprince, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026
That means, to avoid abusing the tires, drivers will need to manage their equipment as much as possible.
—Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Even outside of traditional television, the reality TV model has made millionaires of even more toxic matriarchs such as Ruby Framke, who amassed over 2 million YouTube subscribers by pimping out her children for clicks while criminally abusing them in secret.
—Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
Suzanne Buhler, who is accused of abusing a child during an incident at a park in Lincoln on March 16, 2026.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
In the report, two women alleged that Chavez began grooming and abusing them during his time as UFW president.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
Josh Duggar was accused of abusing underage girls, including four of his sisters.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026
Earlier this month, Fox Lake mother Priscilla Marshall, 34, was accused of abusing her son for years and has been charged with domestic battery and child endangerment.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Cast member Dakota Mortensen has repeatedly reported Taylor Frankie Paul to the Utah Division of Child and Family Services for physically abusing the couple’s nearly 2-year-old son, according to TMZ.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abusing
Verb
-
Online platforms are generally not legally responsible for the content that their users post; Meta, for example, would not be liable for bullying comments or imagery for self-harm posted onto Facebook.—
Kaitlyn Tiffany,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Lendeborg had a highlight-reel dunk by bullying his way through two defenders and finishing his transition drive with a dunk to put Michigan up 66-57.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
There are outside groups aligned with Democrats, yet much of their spending has focused on attacking Collins, rather than supporting a Democratic primary candidate.—
Steve Mistler,
NPR,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Regardless, there’s no excuse — even in hard knocks politics — for attacking someone because of his disability.—
George Skelton,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm sues his parents for millions, accusing them of misusing his money.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Robert Rodriguez, a fellow Democrat, warned that having no regulations would hurt Coloradans and leave no recourse for misusing it.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The film also showed attacks by conservative TV commentator Sean Hannity, who accused parents of exploiting girls, sparking a right-wing media frenzy and even threats to the organization.—
Kamren Curiel,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The regime sought to eliminate my father by exploiting divisions that emerged within MOSOP in 1993.—
Noo Saro-Wiwa,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Two recent cases of parents in Round Lake Beach and Fox Lake charged with several counts each of torturing and abusing their children — in one case allegedly causing a son’s death — point to the need for some sort of parental licensing.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The Ayatollah ruled as a brutal dictator, killing and torturing his own people, imposing harsh restrictions on basic freedoms, and put the lives of our troops and global allies constantly at risk.—
Derek Tran,
Oc Register,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Democrats, especially, are slamming the move to deploy them in place of TSA officers, since the tactics used for immigration enforcement are some of the main reasons for the government shutdown in the first place.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The Tucson hit both vehicles before slamming into the police cruiser and the tractor-trailer, cops said.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Ticket holders who travel to matches using public transportation (Tri-Rail, Metrorail, Metrobus, Trolley, or Broward County Transit) will receive a $10 food and beverage credit upon arrival at Nu Stadium.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Meta must pay $375 million for violating New Mexico law in child exploitation case, jury rules.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
-
In its latest report, Human Rights Watch said Israel's tactics of forcible displacement and deliberate targeting of civilians in Lebanon risk violating international law and constitute war crimes.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abusing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abusing. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
