HyperDic: abuse

English > 7 senses of the word abuse:
NOUNactabuse, maltreatment, ill-treatment, ill-usagecruel or inhumane treatment
communicationabuse, insult, revilement, contumely, vilificationa rude expression / expression intended to offend or hurt
actabuse, misuseimproper or excessive use
VERBsocialabuse, mistreat, maltreat, ill-use, step, ill-treattreat badly
changeabuse, pervert, misusechange the inherent purpose or function of something
communicationabuse, clapperclaw, blackguard, shoutuse foul or abusive language towards
changeabuseuse wrongly or improperly or excessively
abuse > pronunciation
Soundsahbyuw's; ahbyuw'z
Rhymesabstruse ... Zeus: 40 rhymes with uws...
accuse ... values: 47 rhymes with uwz...
English > abuse: 7 senses > noun 1, act
Meaningcruel or inhumane treatment.
Example"the child showed signs of physical abuse"
Synonymsmaltreatment, ill-treatment, ill-usage
Narrowerchild abuseThe physical or emotional or sexual mistreatment of children
child neglectfailure of caretakers to provide adequate emotional and physical care for a child
cruelty, inhuman treatmentA cruel act
persecutionThe act of persecuting (especially on the basis of race or religion)
BroadermistreatmentThe practice of treating (someone or something) badly
Spanishabuso, insultos, malos tratos, maltrato, uso indebido
Catalandicteri, improperis, insult, maltractament, motada
Verbsabusetreat badly
English > abuse: 7 senses > noun 2, communication
MeaningA rude expression / expression intended to offend or hurt.
Example"when a student made a stupid mistake he spared them no abuse"
Synonymsinsult, revilement, contumely, vilification
Narrowerlow blowunscrupulous abuse
scurrility, billingsgatefoul-mouthed or obscene / obscene abuse
stinger, cutA remark capable of wounding mentally
vituperation, invective, vitriolabusive or venomous language used to express blame or censure or bitter deep-seated ill will
Broaderdisrespect, discourtesyAn expression / expression of lack of respect
Spanishcontumelia, insulto, revilement
Catalancontumelia, insult, revilement
Verbsabuseuse foul or abusive language towards
English > abuse: 7 senses > noun 3, act
MeaningImproper or excessive use.
Examples
  • "alcohol abuse"
  • "the abuse of public funds"
Synonymmisuse
Narrowersubstance abuse, drug abuse, habitexcessive use of drugs
Broaderuse, usage, utilization, utilisation, employment, exerciseThe act of using
Spanishabuso, desaprovechamiento
Catalanabús, mal ús
Verbsabusechange the inherent purpose or function of something
English > abuse: 7 senses > verb 1, social
Meaningtreat badly.
PatternSomebody ----s something; Somebody ----s somebody
ModelThey want to abuse the prisoners
Example"This boss abuses his workers"
Synonymsmistreat, maltreat, ill-use, step, ill-treat
Narrowerkick aroundtreat badly
Broadertreat, handle, do byinteract in a certain way
Spanishabusar, malparar, maltratar
Catalanabusar, maltractar, maltratar
Adjectivesabusivecharacterized by physical or psychological maltreatment
Nounsabusecruel or inhumane treatment
abusersomeone who abuses
English > abuse: 7 senses > verb 2, change
Meaningchange the inherent purpose or function of something.
PatternSomebody ----s something
Example"Don't abuse the system"
Synonymspervert, misuse
Narrowerfractureviolate or abuse
take in vainUse a name, such as God, without proper respect
Broaderuse, expenduse up, consume fully
Spanishabusar, pervertir
Catalanabusar, pervertir
Nounsabuseimproper or excessive use
English > abuse: 7 senses > verb 3, communication
MeaningUse foul or abusive language towards.
PatternSomebody ----s somebody
Example"The actress abused the policeman who gave her a parking ticket"
Synonymsclapperclaw, blackguard, shout
Narrowercurseheap obscenities upon
slangabuse with coarse language
vilify, revile, vituperate, railSpread negative information about
Broaderattack, round, assail, lash out, snipe, assaultattack in speech or writing
Spanishabusar, denigrar, injuriar
Catalanabusar, denigrar, injuriar, vilipendiar
Adjectivesabusiveexpressing offensive reproach
Nounsabusea rude expression / expression intended to offend or hurt
abusersomeone who abuses
English > abuse: 7 senses > verb 4, change
MeaningUse wrongly or improperly or excessively.
PatternSomebody ----s something
Examples
  • "Her husband often abuses alcohol"
  • "while she was pregnant, she abused drugs"
Broaderuse, expenduse up, consume fully

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