Cruel, violent or indecent treatment
“She finally found the courage to speak out about the abuse she had endured.”
Insulting and offensive language
“In a spiel laced with abuse, the opposition spokesperson demanded the minister's resignation.”
Unjust or corrupt practice
“He was a renowned investigative reporter, specializing in the reporting of abuse by corrupt governments.”
The improper use of something
“This farcical thesis is a totally unacceptable abuse of science.”
Emotional or psychological abuse
“Brainwashed followers were subjected to years of abuse from being indoctrinated in the cult's bizarre ideology.”
Overuse of a device or machine
“The printer has finally crashed after continual abuse by staff.”
A disrespectful or scornfully abusive remark or act
An unjust act, treatment or occurrence
An indifference to suffering, or pleasure in inflicting suffering
An extremely wicked or cruel act, typically one involving physical violence or injury
An aggressive and violent physical act against a person or object
Prolonged cruel or unjust treatment, especially through the exercise of authority
A profane or offensive expression used to express anger or other strong emotions
Rude and disrespectful behavior
Physical damage caused to something
The act of forcing a person to engage in unwanted lascivious activity, especially intercourse
An addiction or unhealthy need or craving for something
The wanton destruction or spoiling of a place or area
The introduction of a substance that has harmful or poisonous effects
An act or instance of using or expending something carelessly, extravagantly, or to no purpose
To treat with cruelty or violence, especially regularly or repeatedly
“Jockeys get suspended if they abuse their horses over here.”
To treat in a manner that violates someone's decency
“He was caught on camera trying to abuse her in broad daylight!”
To verbally criticize harshly, especially with insulting language
“Gordon was a man with a bad temper who would regularly abuse his staff.”
To apply improperly or incorrectly in an almost obscene way
“Those who are of corrupt character are likely to abuse any power afforded to them.”
(of a quantity of something) To apply improperly or incorrectly in an almost obscene way
“He would abuse the funds allocated to him by spending it on costly, yet frivolous, items.”
To exploit someone for one's own benefit, especially in an underhanded way
“It is advised that you do not abuse your customers' trust by sending them unsolicited promotional material.”
To misuse a device or machine by pushing it to, or over, its limits
“Do not abuse the washing machine by overloading it past its capacity.”
To cause anguish or distress to, typically with ill-treatment
To domineer with superior strength or force
To treat with violent disrespect, especially something considered sacred
To strike, especially repeatedly with hard blows
To make rude and mocking remarks, typically in a loud voice
To treat roughly or without care, respect, moderation, or control
To say something quickly and irritably
To speak of, or address, with impious irreverence
To bring harm or injury to
To deceive or fool someone
To use something to an excessive degree, especially inappropriately
To consume, especially an illicit substance
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