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
More importantly, Penske also describes this dynamic as antitrust behavior from a company abusing what the federal government has already described as Google’s monopoly status in the realm of Internet search.
—
Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
As part of his plea agreement, Styner admitted to abusing a total of a dozen victims.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
The attackers were then able to expand their hold by attacking Ascension’s Active Directory and abusing its privileged access to push malware to thousands of other machines inside the network.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 10 Sep. 2025
In a statement to PEOPLE, Richards’ divorce attorney Brett Berman denied the allegations and accused Phypers of abusing and harassing the actress.
—Stephanie Wenger, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
He was also banned for eight matches after being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United full-back Patrice Evra in 2011.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
In their heyday, Jake was the pinup, ready to play the part in which the music industry cast him, while drummer Vince was the artist—and the drug-abusing liability.
—Judy Berman, Time, 7 Sep. 2025
While walking the two men to a USBP vehicle, Wilkins, a bystander, began verbally abusing authorities, DHS said.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 30 Aug. 2025
The Johnson County sheriff who faces criminal charges of abusing his office repeatedly harassed his female subordinates and threatened his chief deputy to keep it quiet, according to an indictment obtained by the Star-Telegram.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2025
Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
As part of his plea agreement, Styner admitted to abusing a total of a dozen victims.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
The attackers were then able to expand their hold by attacking Ascension’s Active Directory and abusing its privileged access to push malware to thousands of other machines inside the network.
—Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 10 Sep. 2025
In a statement to PEOPLE, Richards’ divorce attorney Brett Berman denied the allegations and accused Phypers of abusing and harassing the actress.
—Stephanie Wenger, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
He was also banned for eight matches after being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United full-back Patrice Evra in 2011.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
In their heyday, Jake was the pinup, ready to play the part in which the music industry cast him, while drummer Vince was the artist—and the drug-abusing liability.
—Judy Berman, Time, 7 Sep. 2025
While walking the two men to a USBP vehicle, Wilkins, a bystander, began verbally abusing authorities, DHS said.
—Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 30 Aug. 2025
The Johnson County sheriff who faces criminal charges of abusing his office repeatedly harassed his female subordinates and threatened his chief deputy to keep it quiet, according to an indictment obtained by the Star-Telegram.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abusing
Verb
-
Wake County schools violated policy when staff did not address the effects of bullying on Danielle, said an April 2024 letter from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.—
Fred Clasen-Kelly,
ABC News,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The complaint also alleged that school officials failed in their response to the plaintiff’s complaints and that coaches were aware of the threats of bullying during the camp but did not take meaningful action.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The team has started the 2025/26 season in a less than free-flowing fashion and has struggled to put up the attacking numbers that might be expected of a defending champion.—
James Nalton,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Atalanta comes in with resilience and attacking threats, particularly in transition, but their back line has looked shaky at times this year.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Brown was charged with misdemeanor misusing 911 — a charge one expert said is typically brought against prank callers, not those in a mental crisis.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Sep. 2025
-
After Sheen started misusing substances, Cryer noticed Sheen’s razor-sharp performance slipping on the CBS comedy.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In 2023, 43% of all cyber attacks targeted small businesses, highlighting how attackers are actively exploiting the security gaps that come with limited budgets and smaller IT teams.—
Ro'ee Margalit,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Pep Guardiola’s City have been creating and exploiting pockets of space for many seasons now, and their neighbours were just the latest victims.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
And targeting, torturing, and murdering political opponents, rivals, and critics have marked the conflict since its beginning.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Jamie Simpson of Covington was sentenced in March to 60 years in prison for holding his wife captive and torturing her for hours before barricading himself inside her home in a lengthy standoff with police.—
Quinlan Bentley,
The Enquirer,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Center fielder Lawrence Butler was the first player to score, slamming a ball into center field during his first at-bat to lead off the first inning.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The instruments detected gravitational waves, faint ripples in space-time produced by the two black holes slamming into each other.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Harvest Facial showcases Napa’s LIV + GRACE SKINCARE, using a soothing pumpkin enzyme mask to bring out autumn radiance.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Boiled down in a cauldron using traditional methods, the sulfate-free formula bubbles up into a lovely lather that washes hands without stripping them (the glycerin, as well as coconut, olive, and sweet almond oils, are to thank) and fills the room with its sophisticated, Provençal scents.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The bill will force cities in large counties in the state to allow projects on properties within one-half mile of certain transit stops, even on land that is not zoned for residential use, or face a fine for violating state law.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
San Diego City Councilmember Jennifer Campbell has admitted violating city record-keeping rules during her 2022 re-election campaign and agreed to pay a $300 fine to resolve the case brought by the San Diego Ethics Commission.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abusing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abusing. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share