Word finder Dictionaryabuse

ENGLISH THESAURUS & DICTIONARY

abuse

noun · verb

Words like abuse

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MEANING & USAGE

Definitions & examples

01noun

cruel or inhumane treatment

“the child showed signs of physical abuse”

02noun

a rude expression intended to offend or hurt

“when a student made a stupid mistake he spared them no abuse”

“they yelled insults at the visiting team”

03noun

improper or excessive use

“alcohol abuse”

“the abuse of public funds”

04verb

treat badly

“This boss abuses his workers”

“She is always stepping on others to get ahead”

3 more meanings

05verb

change the inherent purpose or function of something

“Don't abuse the system”

“The director of the factory misused the funds intended for the health care of his workers”

06verb

use foul or abusive language towards

“The actress abused the policeman who gave her a parking ticket”

“The angry mother shouted at the teacher”

07verb

use wrongly or improperly or excessively

“Her husband often abuses alcohol”

“while she was pregnant, she abused drugs”

Meanings and examples from Open English WordNet 2025. About our sources ↗

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Expressions with “abuse”

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Explore multiword dictionary entries containing this word. Each has its own meanings and related words.

drug abuse child abuse carnal abuse sexual abuse alcohol abuse drug of abuse alcoholic abuse substance abuse