abuse

Definition for abuse

noun as in wrong use

Strongest matches

corruption, crime, exploitation, injustice, misconduct, misdeed, misuse, offense, prostitution, wrongdoing

Strong matches

debasement, delinquency, desecration, fault, misapplication, mishandling, mismanage, perversion, sin, wrong

noun as in physical hurting, injuring

Strongest matches

crime, damage, harm, injury, maltreatment, misdeed, offense, pollution, violation, wrongdoing

Strong matches

defilement, hurt, impairment, malevolence, manhandling

noun as in verbal attack

Strong matches

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 matches

bad-mouthing, kicking around, pushing around

verb as in physically hurt or injure

Strongest matches

beat up, corrupt, harm, impair, maltreat, mistreat, misuse, molest, persecute, victimize, violate

Strong matches

damage, defile, deprave, desecrate, hose, ill-treat, mar, mishandle, oppress, pollute, roughhouse, ruin, spoil, taint, total, wax

Weak matches

bang up, bung up, cut up, mess up, rough up, shake up

verb as in use wrongly

Strongest matches

misuse, squander

Strong matches

dissipate, exhaust, mishandle, overburden, overtax, overwork, prostitute, spoil, taint, waste

Weak match

misemploy

verb as in attack with words

Strongest matches

insult, offend, persecute, revile

Strong matches

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 matches

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

verb as in take advantage of

Strongest match

exploit

Strong matches

use, wrong

Weak matches

do an injustice to, impose on

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The city faces additional abuse claims from over 180 claimants, according to the report.

From Los Angeles Times

He said Whybrow swore and racially abused them as the row turned physical, with Whybrow reaching through his kitchen window to grab a knife.

From BBC

They were among hundreds of soldiers and leaders prosecuted for human-rights abuses.

From BBC

The government has stressed that emergency alerts should remain switched on, but has published a guide for domestic abuse victims on how to opt out.

From BBC

He said he had seen reports of residents being subjected to verbal and physical abuse and traffic congestion.

From BBC

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abuse

Example Sentences

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