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abuse - Meaning and Examples

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.
- 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]
Meaning (1):
- improper or excessive use
Example in sentence:
  • alcohol abuse;
  • the abuse of public funds
Meaning (2):
- cruel or inhumane treatment
Example in sentence:
  • the child showed signs of physical abuse
Meaning (3):
- 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
4 . abuse [ v]
Meaning (4):
- 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
Example in sentence:
  • Her husband often abuses alcohol;
  • while she was pregnant, she abused drugs
Meaning (6):
- treat badly
Example in sentence:
  • She is always stepping on others to get ahead;
  • This boss abuses his workers
Meaning (7):
- 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

Nearby Words:

abuna abundance abundant abundantly aburst abusable abusage abused abuseful abuser

See 'abuse' also in:

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Related Definitions

  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is an agency within the United States Department of Health
  • Elder abuse
    Elder abuse can be defined as acts of violence or neglect directed at the elderly, often by family members.
  • Substance abuse
    Substance abuse can be defined as a destructive pattern of substance (i.e., narcotics or alcohol) use leading to clinically significant social, occupational or medical impairment.
  • Drug abuse substance abuse
    Drug abuse/substance abuse refers habitual and excessive use of a drug for purposes other than what was medically intended.

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