abuse

/ə'bju:s/
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Definition

  1. Noun:

    • Improper or excessive use: The act of using something in a wrong, harmful, or excessive way.
    • Cruel or inhumane treatment: Physical, emotional, or psychological mistreatment of a person or animal.
    • Rude or offensive language: Insulting, harsh, or verbally attacking words intended to hurt someone.

  2. Verb:

    • To use improperly or excessively: To use something, especially a substance or privilege, in a harmful or wrong way.
    • To treat cruelly or violently: To subject someone or something to physical, emotional, or psychological harm.
    • To speak insultingly to: To use harsh, offensive, or violent language against someone.
Examples of Usage

  • Noun:

    • The investigation uncovered widespread abuse of public funds. (Improper use)
    • The child was placed in foster care due to evidence of abuse. (Cruel treatment)
    • He hurled a stream of abuse at the referee. (Offensive language)

  • Verb:

    • It is dangerous to abuse prescription medication. (Use improperly)
    • The dictator was known to abuse his political opponents. (Treat cruelly)
    • The customer abused the staff for the long wait. (Speak insultingly to)
Advanced Usage

  • "to be open to abuse": To be vulnerable to being misused or exploited.

    • A system without proper checks is open to abuse.

  • "a substance of abuse": A drug or chemical that is commonly misused.

    • Alcohol is a common substance of abuse.

  • "to heap abuse on someone": To criticize or insult someone severely and repeatedly.

    • The critics heaped abuse on the director's latest film.
Variants and Related Words

  • Abuser (n): A person who abuses someone or something.

    • The program aims to rehabilitate substance abusers.

  • Abusive (adj): Characterized by abuse; involving improper use, cruel treatment, or offensive language.

    • She left the relationship because of his abusive behavior.

  • Abusively (adv): In an abusive manner.

    • He spoke abusively to his subordinates.
Synonyms
  • Noun (for improper use): Misuse, exploitation.
  • Noun (for cruel treatment): Maltreatment, mistreatment, brutality.
  • Noun (for offensive language): Insults, invective, vilification.
  • Verb (to use improperly): Misuse, exploit.
  • Verb (to treat cruelly): Mistreat, maltreat, harm.
  • Verb (to speak insultingly): Insult, revile, berate.
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Note: "Abuse" does not commonly form phrasal verbs. Its meanings are typically expressed directly.)

Related Idioms

  • "Add insult to injury": To make a bad situation worse by causing further distress or humiliation. (This idiom relates to the concept of verbal abuse following harm.)

    • After firing her, he added insult to injury by criticizing her work publicly.

  • "Kick someone when they're down": To treat someone badly when they are already in a vulnerable state. (This idiom relates to the concept of cruel treatment or abuse.)

    • Taking advantage of his financial troubles was like kicking him when he was down.
Noun
  1. improper or excessive use
    • alcohol abuse
    • the abuse of public funds
  2. a rude expression intended to offend or hurt
    • when a student made a stupid mistake he spared them no abuse
    • they yelled insults at the visiting team
  3. cruel or inhumane treatment
    • the child showed signs of physical abuse
Verb
  1. use wrongly or improperly or excessively
    • Her husband often abuses alcohol
    • while she was pregnant, she abused drugs
  2. use foul or abusive language towards
    • The actress abused the policeman who gave her a parking ticket
    • The angry mother shouted at the teacher
  3. change the inherent purpose or function of something
    • Don't abuse the system
    • The director of the factory misused the funds intended for the health care of his workers
  4. treat badly
    • This boss abuses his workers
    • She is always stepping on others to get ahead

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