What does abuse mean?
Definitions for abuse
əˈbyuz; əˈbyusabuse
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word abuse.
Princeton's WordNet
maltreatment, ill-treatment, ill-usage, abusenoun
cruel or inhumane treatment
"the child showed signs of physical abuse"
abuse, insult, revilement, contumely, vilificationnoun
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"
misuse, abuseverb
improper or excessive use
"alcohol abuse"; "the abuse of public funds"
mistreat, maltreat, abuse, ill-use, step, ill-treatverb
treat badly
"This boss abuses his workers"; "She is always stepping on others to get ahead"
pervert, misuse, abuseverb
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"
abuse, clapperclaw, blackguard, shoutverb
use foul or abusive language towards
"The actress abused the policeman who gave her a parking ticket"; "The angry mother shouted at the teacher"
abuseverb
use wrongly or improperly or excessively
"Her husband often abuses alcohol"; "while she was pregnant, she abused drugs"
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
Abusenoun
Etymology: from the verb abuse.
The casting away things profitable for the sustenance of man’s life, is an unthankful abuse of the fruits of God’s good providence towards mankind. Richard Hooker, b. v. § 9.
Little knows
Any, but God alone, to value right
The good before him, but perverts best things
To worst abuse, or to their meanest use. Parad. Lost, b. iv.The nature of things is such, that, if abuses be not remedied, they will certainly encrease. Jonathan Swift, for Advancem. of Relig.
Was it not enough for him to have deceived me, and through the deceit abused me, and, after the abuse, forsaken me, but that he must now, of all the company, and before all the company, lay want of beauty to my charge. Philip Sidney, b. ii.
I dark in light, expos’d
To daily fraud, contempt, abuse, and wrong. Samps. Agon.To ABUSEverb
Etymology: abutor, Lat.
They that use this world, as not abusing it; for the fashion of this world passeth away. 1 Cor. vii. 31.
He has fixed and determined the time for our repentance, beyond which he will no longer await the perverseness of men, no longer suffer his compassion to be abused. John Rogers, Sermons.
The world hath been much abused by the opinion of making gold: the work itself I judge to be possible; but the means hitherto propounded, are, in the practice, full of error. Francis Bacon, Natural History, №. 126.
He perhaps,
Out of my weakness and my melancholy,
As he is very potent with such spirits,
Abuses me to damn me. William Shakespeare, Hamlet.It imports the misrepresentation of the qualities of things and actions, to the common apprehensions of men, abusing their minds with false notions; and so, by this artifice, making evil pass for good, and good for evil, in all the great concerns of life. Robert South, Sermons.
Nor be with all these tempting words abus’d;
These tempting words were all to Sappho us’d. Alexander Pope, Sappho to Phaon.I am no strumpet, but of life as honest
As you that thus abuse me. William Shakespeare, Othello.But he mocked them, and laughed at them, and abused them shamefully, and spake proudly. 1 Mac. vii. 34.
Some praise at morning what they blame at night,
But always think the last opinion right.
A muse by these is like a mistress us’d,
This hour she’s idoliz’d, the next abus’d. Alexander Pope, Ess. on Crit.The next criticism upon the stars seems to be introduced for no other reason, but to mention Mr. Bickerstaff, whom the author every-where endeavours to imitate and abuse. Addison.
Wikipedia
Abuse
Abuse is the improper usage or treatment of a thing, often to unfairly or improperly gain benefit. Abuse can come in many forms, such as: physical or verbal maltreatment, injury, assault, violation, rape, unjust practices, crimes, or other types of aggression. To these descriptions, one can also add the Kantian notion of the wrongness of using another human being as means to an end rather than as ends in themselves. Some sources describe abuse as "socially constructed", which means there may be more or less recognition of the suffering of a victim at different times and societies.
ChatGPT
abuse
Abuse is a pattern of behavior used by one person or group to gain and maintain power and control over another individual, entity or system. This behavior can involve physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, financial, or verbal maltreatment. It ranges from subtle, coercive forms to overt and intimidating actions, intending to harm, manipulate, exploit, neglect or endanger the person or entity on the receiving end.
abuse
Abuse is the ill-treatment, misuse, or harmful, excessive and improper use of something or someone which often results in harm, injury or trauma. It can take various forms, including, but not limited to, physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological, and can occur in various settings such as home, workplace, or public places. Abuse also involves an unjust or corrupt practice that involves the exertion of power or control over another person or entity.
abuse
Abuse refers to the harmful or improper treatment or usage of someone or something, often to unfairly or improperly gain benefit. This can include physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological harm, usually involving repetitive or persistent acts that cause harm or distress. It also applies to numerous situations ranging from child abuse, domestic abuse, substance abuse, elder abuse, to animal abuse. It generally involves a violation of an individual's human or civil rights, or the misuse of a position of power.
abuse
Abuse refers to the unjust, improper or harmful treatment of a person, animal, or entity by another person, group, or system. It involves deliberate actions or behavior, often repetitive or habitual, that cause physical, sexual, psychological or financial harm. This can take various forms, such as emotional, verbal, mental, or physical abuse.
abuse
Abuse refers to a pattern of behavior involving harmful, injurious, or unethical treatment of another individual or entity, often to unfairly or improperly gain benefit. It can occur in various forms including physical, emotional, sexual, or verbal maltreatment, and can also involve manipulation, neglect, or exploitation. For the case of substances, abuse involves misuse in ways that are dangerous or harmful.
abuse
Abuse refers to the wrongful or harmful use or treatment of a person, animal, substance, or system, often for personal gain or to cause damage. It often involves repeated and persistent actions causing physical, emotional, sexual, or psychological harm. It could also refer to misuse or improper handling of something, such as drugs or power. Abuse can range from individual to systemic levels and can also include neglect or failure to meet fundamental needs.
abuse
Abuse refers to any action or behavior that involves the cruel, violent, harmful, or unjust treatment of another person, animal, or system, often to gain or maintain power or control. It could be physical, emotional, sexual, or psychological, and can lead to significant harm or adversity. Abuse may also include negligence or inappropriate use of something or someone.
Webster Dictionary
Abuseverb
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
Abuseverb
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
Abuseverb
to revile; to reproach coarsely; to disparage
Abuseverb
to dishonor
Abuseverb
to violate; to ravish
Abuseverb
to deceive; to impose on
Abuseverb
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
Abuseverb
physical ill treatment; injury
Abuseverb
a corrupt practice or custom; offense; crime; fault; as, the abuses in the civil service
Abuseverb
vituperative words; coarse, insulting speech; abusive language; virulent condemnation; reviling
Abuseverb
violation; rape; as, abuse of a female child
Wikidata
Abuse
Abuse is the improper usage or treatment of an entity, often to unfairly or improperly gain benefit. Abuse can come in many forms, such as: physical or verbal maltreatment, injury, sexual assault, violation, rape, unjust practices; wrongful practice or custom; offense; crime, or otherwise verbal aggression.
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
Abuse
ab-ūz′, v.t. to use wrongly: to pervert: to revile: to violate.—ns. Abuse (ab-ūs′), ill use: misapplication: reproach: vituperation; Abū′sion (Spens.), abuse: deception: reproach.—adj. Abus′ive, containing or practising abuse: full of abuses: vituperative.—adv. Abus′ively.—n. Abus′iveness. [L. ab, away (from what is right), uti, usus, to use.]
Editors Contribution
Abuse
Abuse; abusive; when a human is harming an animal or fellow human for unspecified reasons.
Submitted by rinat on December 20, 2020
Matched Categories
British National Corpus
Spoken Corpus Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'abuse' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #3044
Written Corpus Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'abuse' in Written Corpus Frequency: #3063
Nouns Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'abuse' in Nouns Frequency: #1191
Verbs Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'abuse' in Verbs Frequency: #989
Usage in printed sourcesFrom:
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Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of abuse in Chaldean Numerology is: 8
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of abuse in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3
Examples of abuse in a Sentence
Is comedy more politically correct ? Yes, when is the right time after somebody apologizes, what is the right time that Caroline Hirsch can say,' Okay, we accept Caroline Hirsch apology. Caroline Hirsch've taken Caroline Hirsch abuse, and now Caroline Hirsch can come back to the fold.' What is the right time for that ? Is it never ?
Now is the time to have a discussion about what we can do to break down the barriers that prevent help going to people who need it – whether that’s a substance abuse issue or whether that’s a mental health concern.
We had been receiving a number of reports from women who were victims of police officers, usually victims of domestic abuse who did n’t have the confidence to report or if they did report felt that they were massively let down or victimized and sometimes subject to criminal action against them themselves for reporting.
We've seen the consequences when international infrastructure deals are corrupt and coercive, when they're poorly built or environmentally destructive, when they import or abuse workers, or burden countries with crushing debts.
Posting that video online perpetuated the abuse, which New York City does not tolerate, we are steadfast in our efforts to make sure all victims of abuse are aware of the many resources available as we strive to make New York City's public and private spaces safe for all women and girls.
Popularity rank by frequency of use
References
Translations for abuse
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- إساءةArabic
- оскърбление, злоупотребявам, изнасилвам, злоупотреба, обида, обиждам, оскърбявамBulgarian
- zneužitíCzech
- misbrug, mishandling, seksuelt misbrug, misbruge, krænke, vanrøgt, mishandleDanish
- Missbrauch, Mißbrauch, missbrauchen, Schmähung, Beleidigung, beleidigen, Mißhandlung, vergewaltigen, Beschimpfung, beschimpfen, MisshandlungGerman
- βρισιές, κακομεταχείριση, κατάχρησηGreek
- abuso, abuso sexualSpanish
- دشنامPersian
- solvata, väärinkäyttää, raiskata, käyttää hyväksi, väärinkäyttö, solvaus, herjaus, väärinkäytös, pahoinpitely, hyväksikäyttö, pahoinpidellä, herjataFinnish
- abus, viol, abuserFrench
- càineadh, trod, cronachadhScottish Gaelic
- abusoGalician
- השתלחות, התעלל, השתלח, ניצול לרעה, התעללות, תקיפה מינית, ניצל לרעהHebrew
- बुरा भला कहना, दुरूपयोग, अपशब्द, गाली देनाHindi
- abuso, abuso sessuale, violenza carnale, violentare, violenza, abusareItalian
- 侮辱, 濫用, ののしる, 性的虐待, 酷使, 虐待Japanese
- ನಿಂದನೆKannada
- 학대Korean
- abūsiō, probrum, obloquor, abūtorLatin
- abuséierenLuxembourgish, Letzeburgesch
- įžeidinėtiLithuanian
- lamātLatvian
- abbużMaltese
- misbrukNorwegian
- verkrachten, beschimpingen, beschimpen, uitschelden, misbruiken, onteren, mishandelen, misbruik, mishandelingDutch
- misbrukNorwegian Nynorsk
- misbruk, utskjelling, voldtekt, mishandle, mishandling, misbruke, skjelle ut, voldtaNorwegian
- atéʼélʼíNavajo, Navaho
- nadużycie, znęcanie się, molestowaniePolish
- ultrajar, afrontar, abusar, enganar, abuso, ofender, insultarPortuguese
- abuzRomanian
- злоупотребление, брань, злоупотреблять, злоупотребить, истязание, нападки, оскорблять, оскорбить, ругать, материть, изнасиловать, оскорбление, ругань, издевательство, издеваться, насилие, обижать, обидеть, обругать, обматерить, насиловатьRussian
- злоупотреба, злостављање, zlostavljanje, злоупотребити, zlostavljati, zloupotreba, zloupotrebiti, злостављатиSerbo-Croatian
- misshandel, missbruka, misshandla, missbrukSwedish
- abuso, panggagahasa, pagmamalupitTagalog
- بدسلوکیUrdu
- migeb, nofön, lunofön, migebön, slanön, lenofönVolapük
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