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abuse

/əˈbjus/noun, verb2 syllables

Abuse means: treat badly.

Synonyms for abuse22

noun, as in a rude expression intended to offend or hurt

insult, revilement, contumely, vilification

noun, as in cruel or inhumane treatment

maltreatment, ill-treatment, ill-usage

noun, as in improper or excessive use

misuse

verb, as in treat badly

mistreat, maltreat, ill-use, step, ill-treat

verb, as in use foul or abusive language towards

clapperclaw, blackguard, shout

verb, as in change the inherent purpose or function of something

pervert, misuse

also used for abuse

abusage, invective, reproach, scurrility, opprobrium

Includes material from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

What does abuse mean?7

verb

1

treat badly“This boss abuses his workers”

2

use foul or abusive language towards“The actress abused the policeman who gave her a parking ticket”

3

change the inherent purpose or function of something“Don't abuse the system”

4

use wrongly or improperly or excessively“Her husband often abuses alcohol”

noun

1

a rude expression intended to offend or hurt“when a student made a stupid mistake he spared them no abuse”

2

cruel or inhumane treatment“the child showed signs of physical abuse”

3

improper or excessive use“alcohol abuse”

Definitions from the Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

What rhymes with abuse?24

one syllable

useloosejuicebrucegoosemoosezeustrucesprucelucenousnoosemousse

two syllables

producereduceexcuseinducereusediffuseseduceobtusededuce

three syllables

introducereproduce
Show 40 near rhymes
toyoudowhonewtwotoothroughusedschoolfewgroupnewsfoodtrueroomduemovesoonincludejuneknewviewcoolbluegroupsreviewpoorlosewhosehugerulesschoolstruthmovedincludesrulechooseproducedwhom

All 24 rhymes for abuse, grouped by syllable

Abuse in a sentence

  • Evil comes not from technique, but from those who abuse it.carlosalberto
  • Take it, use it as you like, but do not abuse it.jimkillock
  • Tomorrow, we'll organise a demonstration against the abuse of power.MessDjaaf
  • Child abuse, no matter who does it, is wrong.Amastan
  • You are who you are in spite of the abuse, not because of it.shekitten
  • If you abuse your computer, it won't work well.Source_VOA
  • Sami was technically a good doctor, but his alcohol abuse prevented him from practising.OsoHombre
  • When it comes to drugs, there's a very fine line between use and abuse.darinmex

Sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR, credited to their authors.

Forms of abuse

as a noun

plural
abuses

as a verb

past tense
abused
present participle
abusing
third-person singular
abuses