Yahoo Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   abuse

   verb

   • 1. use (something) to bad effect or for a bad purpose; misuse: "the judge abused his power by imposing the fines" Similar misusemisapplymisemploymishandleexploitperverttake advantage of
   • ▪ make excessive and habitual use of (alcohol or drugs, especially illegal ones): "at various times in her life she abused both alcohol and drugs"
   • 2. treat with cruelty or violence, especially regularly or repeatedly: "riders who abuse their horses should be prosecuted" Similar mistreatmaltreatill-treattreat badlyill-usemisusehandle/treat roughlyknock aboutknock aroundmanhandlemishandlemaulmolestinterfere withindecently assaultsexually abusesexually assaultgropeassaulthitstrikebeatinjurehurtharmdamagewrongbullypersecuteoppresstortureinformal:beat uprough updo overOpposite look after
   • ▪ assault (someone, especially a woman or child) sexually: "he was a depraved man who had abused his two young daughters"
   • ▪ masturbate. euphemistic
   • ▪ use or treat in such a way as to cause damage or harm: "he had been abusing his body for years" Similar mistreatmaltreatill-treattreat badlyill-usemisusehandle/treat roughlyknock aboutknock aroundmanhandlemishandlemaulmolestinterfere withindecently assaultsexually abusesexually assaultgropeassaulthitstrikebeatinjurehurtharmdamagewrongbullypersecuteoppresstortureinformal:beat uprough updo overOpposite look after
   • 3. speak to (someone) in an insulting and offensive way: "the referee was abused by players from both teams" Similar insultbe rude toswear atcursecall someone namestauntshout atscoldrebukeupbraidreprovecastigateinveigh againstimpugnslurrevilesmearvilifyvituperate againstslanderlibelcast aspersions onoffendslightdisparagedenigratedefameinformal:slag offtrash-talkarchaic:miscallOpposite complimentflatter

   noun

   • 1. the improper use of something: "alcohol abuse" Similar misusemisapplicationmisemploymentmishandlingexploitationperversion
   • ▪ unjust or corrupt practice: "protection against fraud and abuse" Similar corruptioninjusticewrongdoingwrongmisconductdelinquencymisdeed(s)offence (s)crimefaultsin
   • 2. cruel and violent treatment of a person or animal: "a black eye and other signs of physical abuse" Similar mistreatmentmaltreatmentill treatmentill usemisuserough treatmentmanhandlingmishandlingmolestationinterferenceindecent assaultsexual abusesexual assaultassaultinghittingstrikingbeatinginjuryhurtharmdamagewrongingbullyingpersecutionoppressiontortureinformal:beating uproughing updoing overOpposite care
   • ▪ violent treatment involving sexual assault, especially on a regular basis: "young people who have suffered sexual abuse"
   • 3. insulting and offensive language: "waving his fists and hurling abuse at the driver" Similar insultscursesjibesslursexpletivesswear wordsswearingcursingname-callingscoldingrebukesupbraidingreprovalinvectivecastigationrevilementvilificationvituperationslanderlibelslightsdisparagementdenigrationdefamationinformal:slanginga slanging matchmud-slingingdisrespectverbal(s)trash talkarchaic:contumelyOpposite complimentsflattery

   Word Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin abus- ‘misused’, from the verb abuti, from ab- ‘away’ (i.e. ‘wrongly’) + uti ‘to use’.

   Scrabble Points: 7

   • A

     1

   • B

     3

   • U

     1

   • S

     1

   • E

     1

   Powered by Oxford Dictionaries

   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishABUSE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   ABUSE definition: 1. to use something for the wrong purpose in a way that is harmful or morally wrong: 2. to treat…. Learn more.

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › abuseAbuse Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › abuse

   • Cached

   The meaning of ABUSE is a corrupt practice or custom. How to use abuse in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Abuse.

4. www.healthyplace.com › abuse › abuse-informationWhat Is Abuse? Abuse Definition | HealthyPlace

   www.healthyplace.com › abuse › abuse-information

   • Cached

   Dec 30, 2021 · Abuse is defined as any action that intentionally harms or injures another person. In short, someone who purposefully harms another in any way is committing abuse. There are many kinds of abuse encountered by adults, including: physical abuse. psychological abuse. rape. sexual assault. verbal abuse. elder abuse. financial abuse. spiritual abuse.

5. en.wikipedia.org › wiki › AbuseAbuse - Wikipedia

   en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Abuse

   • Cached

   Abuse is the improper usage or treatment of a person or thing, often to unfairly or improperly gain benefit. [1] Abuse can come in many forms, such as: physical or verbal maltreatment, injury, assault, violation, rape, unjust practices, crimes, or other types of aggression. [2]

6. www.dictionary.com › browse › abuseABUSE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › abuse

   • Cached

   When abuse is used to refer to misuse of something (as opposed to the mistreatment of someone), it’s often associated with seriously negative behavior, like alcohol abuse (which refers to the overconsumption of alcohol, often due to addiction).

7. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishABUSE | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

   • Cached

   ABUSE definition: 1. the use of something for the wrong purpose in a way that is harmful or morally wrong: 2…. Learn more.

8. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishabuse noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

   • Cached

   Definition of abuse noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

9. www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › abuseabuse | meaning of abuse in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary...

   www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › abuse

   • Cached

   abuse meaning, definition, what is abuse: cruel or violent treatment of someone: Learn more.

10. www.britannica.com › dictionary › abuseAbuse Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

    www.britannica.com › dictionary › abuse

    • Cached

    ABUSE meaning: 1 : to treat (a person or animal) in a harsh or harmful way; 2 : to use or treat (something) in a way that causes damage

11. psychcentral.com › lib › types-of-abuseWhat are the Types of Abuse? Psychological, Physical, and More

    psychcentral.com › lib › types-of-abuse

    • Cached

    May 17, 2016 · Abuse refers to harmful or injurious treatment of another human being that may include physical, sexual, verbal, psychological/emotional, intellectual, or spiritual maltreatment.