Definition
Meaning of 'Abuse'
Meaning of 'Abuse' (Webster Dictionary)
1. Abuse 
[ v. t.]
- To put to a wrong use; to misapply; to misuse; to put to
a bad use; to use for a wrong purpose or end; to pervert; as, to abuse
inherited gold; to make an excessive use of; as, to abuse one's
authority. [ v. t.]- To use ill; to maltreat; to act injuriously to; to punish or to tax excessively; to hurt; as, to abuse prisoners, to abuse one's powers, one's patience.
- To revile; to reproach coarsely; to disparage.
- To dishonor.
- To violate; to ravish.
- To deceive; to impose on.
- Improper treatment or use; application to a wrong or bad purpose; misuse; as, an abuse of our natural powers; an abuse of civil rights, or of privileges or advantages; an abuse of language.
- Physical ill treatment; injury.
- A corrupt practice or custom; offense; crime; fault; as, the abuses in the civil service.
- Vituperative words; coarse, insulting speech; abusive language; virulent condemnation; reviling.
- Violation; rape; as, abuse of a female child.
Meaning of 'Abuse' (Princeton's WordNet)
1. abuse [ n]
[ n]Meaning (1):
- improper or excessive use
- improper or excessive use
Example in sentence:
- alcohol abuse;
- the abuse of public funds
Meaning (2):
- cruel or inhumane treatment
- cruel or inhumane treatment
Example in sentence:
- the child showed signs of physical abuse
Meaning (3):
- a rude expression intended to offend or hurt
- a rude expression intended to offend or hurt
Example in sentence:
- they yelled insults at the visiting team;
- when a student made a stupid mistake he spared them no abuse
2. abuse [ v]
[ v]Meaning (4):
- change the inherent purpose or function of something
- change the inherent purpose or function of something
Example in sentence:
- Don't abuse the system;
- The director of the factory misused the funds intended for the health care of his workers
Meaning (5):
- use wrongly or improperly or excessively
- use wrongly or improperly or excessively
Example in sentence:
- Her husband often abuses alcohol;
- while she was pregnant, she abused drugs
Meaning (6):
- use foul or abusive language towards
- use foul or abusive language towards
Example in sentence:
- The actress abused the policeman who gave her a parking ticket;
- The angry mother shouted at the teacher
Meaning (7):
- treat badly
- treat badly
Example in sentence:
- She is always stepping on others to get ahead;
- This boss abuses his workers
See 'Abuse' also in:
Recent Article
Categories
- Business Studies
- Banking & Finance
- Management & Organization Studies
- HRM & Labor Studies
- Management Information System
- Accounting & Auditing
- Marketing & Public Relations
- Entrepreneurship & Small Business
- Psychology & Behavioral Science
- Computer Programming
- Automotive Engineering
- Computer Networking
- Medical & Health Science
- Microbiology