View results from:
Wordnet |
Webster |
Wiktionary |
Easton
abuse in WordNet English dictionary
noun- improper or excessive use
"alcohol abuse"; "the abuse of public funds"
misuse abuse
- cruel or inhumane treatment
"the child showed signs of physical abuse"
maltreatment ill-treatment ill-usage abuse
- 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"
abuse insult revilement contumely vilification
verb- 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"
pervert misuse abuse
- use wrongly or improperly or excessively
"Her husband often abuses alcohol"; "while she was pregnant, she abused drugs"
abuse
- use foul or abusive language towards
"The actress abused the policeman who gave her a parking ticket"; "The angry mother shouted at the teacher"
abuse clapperclaw blackguard shout
- treat badly
"This boss abuses his workers"; "She is always stepping on others to get ahead"
mistreat maltreat abuse ill-use step ill-treat
WordNet Lexical Database v3.0, © 2006 Princeton University