abuse

UK:*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations noun: /əˈbjuːs/, verb: /əˈbjuːz/

US:USA pronunciation: IPAUSA pronunciation: IPA/v. əˈbjuz; n. əˈbjus/

US:USA pronunciation: respellingUSA pronunciation: respelling(v. ə byo̅o̅z; n. ə byo̅o̅s)


Inflections of 'abuse' (v): (⇒ conjugate)
abuses
v 3rd person singular
abusing
v pres p
underused
v past
underused
v past p

abuse
WordReference English Thesaurus © 2025
Sense: Noun: misuse
Synonyms:
misuse Collocations, improper use, misapplication, corruption, debasement, perversion, degradation, mishandling, misemployment, misappropriation, ill-usage, mismanagement, pollution Collocations, exploitation Collocations, profanation, defilement, prostitution
Antonyms:
correct use, utilization, application Collocations
Sense: Verb: misuse
Synonyms:
misuse Collocations, exploit Collocations, misappropriate, damage Collocations, do harm to, ill-use, misemploy, mishandle, misapply, ruin Collocations, spoil Collocations, mar Collocations, pervert, use sth wrongly, use sth for evil, corrupt Collocations, squander Collocations, waste Collocations, overuse, divert Collocations
Sense: Noun: ill-treatment
Synonyms:
ill-treatment, mistreatment, injury Collocations, harassment Collocations, sexual harassment, damage Collocations, discrimination, harm Collocations, hurt Collocations, maltreatment, intimidation, bullying Collocations, molestation, sexual abuse, molesting, rape Collocations, battering, battery Collocations, outrage Collocations, wrong Collocations, injustice, violation, persecution, name-calling, heckling, hounding, persecuting, beating Collocations
Antonyms:
respect Collocations, cared for, help Collocations, aid Collocations, assistance Collocations
Sense: Verb: treat sb badly
Synonyms:
treat sb badly, mistreat, injure Collocations, hurt Collocations, harm Collocations, ill-treat, batter Collocations, wrong Collocations, victimize, victimise (UK), molest, take advantage of, do sb an injustice, do wrong by, do sb wrong, do sb harm, manhandle, maltreat, misapply, persecute, impose upon, torment, nag Collocations, corrupt Collocations, oppress, outrage Collocations, prostitute Collocations, exploit Collocations, overstrain, overwork, overtax, overburden, violate, defile, debase, hound Collocations, torture, beat Collocations, hit Collocations, rape Collocations, do violence to
Antonyms:
respect Collocations, care for, help Collocations, aid Collocations, assist Collocations, nurture Collocations, spoil Collocations
Sense: Noun: insulting language
Synonyms:
abusive language, insults, verbal abuse, slur Collocations, slights, tirade, racial slur, derision, put-downs, revilement, slander Collocations, character assassination, defamation, libel, names (informal)
Antonyms:
praise Collocations, complement Collocations, congratulations, flattery, veneration
Sense: Verb: use abusive language to or about
Synonyms:
insult Collocations, berate, belittle, slander Collocations, censure, defame, speak ill of, be mean to (informal), tongue-lash (slang), badmouth (slang), slag off (UK, slang), abuse verbally, revile, malign, vilify, shout at, libel, denigrate, be unkind to
Antonyms:
praise Collocations, complement Collocations, congratulate, flatter Collocations


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