abuse

Meanings

• cruel or inhumane treatment
  • "the child showed signs of physical abuse"
• a rude expression intended to offend or hurt
  • "when a student made a stupid mistake he spared them no abuse"
• improper or excessive use
  • "alcohol abuse"
  • "the abuse of public funds"
• treat badly
  • "This boss abuses his workers"
• change the inherent purpose or function of something
  • "Don't abuse the system"
• use foul or abusive language towards
  • "The actress abused the policeman who gave her a parking ticket"
• use wrongly or improperly or excessively
  • "Her husband often abuses alcohol"
  • "while she was pregnant, she abused drugs"

Synonyms

blackguard, clapperclaw, contumely, ill-treat, ill-treatment, ill-usage, ill-use, insult, maltreat, maltreatment, mistreat, misuse, pervert, revilement, shout, step, vilification