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Showing results for abuse. Search instead for Abuses.
Definitions

abuse

[uh-byooz, uh-byoos] / əˈbyuz, əˈbyus /
NOUN
wrong use
Synonyms
STRONGEST
corruption crime exploitation injustice misconduct misdeed misuse offense prostitution wrongdoing
STRONG
debasement delinquency desecration fault misapplication mishandling mismanage perversion sin wrong
Antonyms
STRONGEST
good deed kindness obedience
STRONG
goodness
WEAK
acclamation adulation aid approval commendation help plaudit praise preservation respect
NOUN
physical hurting, injuring
Synonyms
STRONGEST
crime damage harm injury maltreatment misdeed offense pollution violation wrongdoing
STRONG
defilement hurt impairment malevolence manhandling
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advantage benefit blessing favor good good deed kindness obedience pleasure
WEAK
acclamation adulation aid approval commendation help plaudit praise preservation respect
NOUN
verbal attack
Synonyms
STRONG
blame castigation censure curse curses defamation derision hosing insults invective knifing libel obloquy opprobrium put down quinine reproach revilement scolding signifying slander swearing tirade upbraiding vilification vituperation
WEAK
bad-mouthing kicking around pushing around
Antonyms
STRONG
approval commendation compliment exaltation flattery praise
WEAK
acclamation adulation aid help plaudit preservation respect
VERB
physically hurt or injure
Synonyms
STRONGEST
beat up corrupt harm impair maltreat mistreat misuse molest persecute victimize violate
STRONG
damage defile deprave desecrate hose ill-treat mar mishandle oppress pollute roughhouse ruin spoil taint total wax
WEAK
bang up bung up cut up mess up rough up shake up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid assist help improve please protect treat well
STRONG
clean grow honor purify sanctify
WEAK
acclaim adulate approve benefit care for cherish commend compliment defend esteem praise preserve prize respect revere treasure
VERB
use wrongly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
misuse squander
STRONG
dissipate exhaust mishandle overburden overtax overwork prostitute spoil taint waste
WEAK
misemploy
Antonyms
STRONG
hoard save
WEAK
acclaim adulate approve benefit care for cherish commend compliment defend esteem help honor praise preserve prize protect respect revere treasure
VERB
attack with words
Synonyms
STRONGEST
insult offend persecute revile
STRONG
backbite bash belittle berate calumniate cap castigate decry defame derogate discount knock minimize nag oppress reproach ride scold signify slam slap smear sound trash upbraid vilify vituperate zing
WEAK
bad-mouth blow off cuss out cut down cut to the quick do a number on dump on give a black eye hurl brickbat pick on put down rag on rip up run down sling mud swear at tear apart
Antonyms
STRONGEST
compliment
STRONG
approve exalt flatter laud praise
WEAK
acclaim adulate benefit care for cherish commend defend esteem help honor preserve prize protect respect revere treasure
VERB
take advantage of
Synonyms
STRONGEST
exploit
STRONG
use wrong
WEAK
do an injustice to impose on
Antonyms
WEAK
acclaim adulate approve benefit care for cherish commend compliment defend esteem help honor praise preserve prize protect respect revere treasure

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ciswaka, who uses the company name Corporate Immigration UK, regularly posts on social media about the domestic abuse concession and boasts about successes he's had on behalf of clients asking for help via this route.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

The BBC has also discovered how some migrants are exploiting rules brought in by ministers to help genuine victims of domestic abuse to secure permanent residence more quickly than through other routes, such as asylum.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

"Sham lawyers facilitating this abuse will face the full force of the law."

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

“It’s just a gross abuse of power,” she said.

From Salon • Apr. 15, 2026

Duke, though he never won the high political office he often sought, proved himself a master of information abuse.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt

Vocabulary lists containing abuse

Common Five-letter Words for Wordle, List 4

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Macbeth's "Is this a dagger..." soliloquy

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Herbert Hoover on "Rugged Individualism" (1928)

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