Cruel, violent or indecent treatment of a person or animal
“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 aggressive and violent physical act against a person or object
Rude and disrespectful behaviour
A profane or offensive expression used to express anger or other strong emotions
Hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of race or political or religious beliefs
The improper treatment of a patient by a physician that results in injury or loss
Prolonged cruel or unjust treatment, especially through the exercise of authority
Physical damage caused to something
The act of forcing a person to engage in unwanted lascivious activity, especially intercourse
The action or fact of treating someone unfairly in order to benefit from their work
The wanton destruction or spoiling of a place
An act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct
Cruel behaviour or attitudes
The condition of being reliant or dependent on someone or something
The presence in or introduction into the environment of a substance which has harmful or poisonous effects
A grammatical mistake in speech or writing
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 put down or control by cruelty or force
To decrease the value, character, or quality of
Make rude and mocking remarks, typically in a loud voice
Strike repeatedly with hard blows
To speak of, or address, with impious irreverence
Penalize for wrongdoing
To say something quickly and irritably
Play games with
To overuse
To bring harm or injury to
Elude, escape
To treat roughly or without care, respect, moderation, or control
To consume, especially an illicit substance
To cheat or swindle, especially by overcharging
To state one's intention to take hostile action against (someone) in retribution for something done or not done
Make or seek to make an excessive or unfair profit, especially illegally
Related Words and Phrases
|