abuse 1 of 2

noun

ə-ˈbyüs How to pronounce abuse (audio)
Definition of abusenext
1
as in insult
harsh insulting language hometown fans hurled abuse at the visiting team

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in misuse
incorrect or improper use naturally the furniture had received a lot of abuse from the 10 kids in the family

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

abuse

2 of 2

verb

ə-ˈbyüz How to pronounce abuse (audio)
1
as in to bully
to inflict physical or emotional harm upon if you abuse your pet, he will always have an ugly disposition

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to attack
to criticize harshly and usually publicly a demanding, difficult patient who constantly abuses the nurses and aides

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to misuse
to put to a bad or improper use if you abuse your baseball bat by using it to hammer nails, don't expect it to last long

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to use
to take unfair advantage of abused his parents' trust, pilfering small amounts from them that he hoped they wouldn't notice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word abuse distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of abuse are billingsgate, invective, obloquy, and vituperation. While all these words mean "vehemently expressed condemnation or disapproval," abuse, the most general term, usually implies the anger of the speaker and stresses the harshness of the language.

scathing verbal abuse

When might billingsgate be a better fit than abuse?

While in some cases nearly identical to abuse, billingsgate implies practiced fluency and variety of profane or obscene abuse.

directed a stream of billingsgate at the cabdriver

When would invective be a good substitute for abuse?

In some situations, the words invective and abuse are roughly equivalent. However, invective implies a comparable vehemence but suggests greater verbal and rhetorical skill and may apply to a public denunciation.

blistering political invective

When is obloquy a more appropriate choice than abuse?

While the synonyms obloquy and abuse are close in meaning, obloquy suggests defamation and consequent shame and disgrace.

subjected to obloquy and derision

Where would vituperation be a reasonable alternative to abuse?

The words vituperation and abuse can be used in similar contexts, but vituperation implies fluent and sustained abuse.

a torrent of vituperation

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of abuse
Noun
Policies that drive economic growth — Dimon praises GOP efforts to build more competitive tax systems and limit overregulation, but warns an effective regulatory system is still required to prevent market abuses. — Ben Berkowitz, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025 This blind spot leaves the system open to abuse, allowing counterfeit products, non-compliant goods, and items that fail to meet local safety standards to enter domestic markets unchecked. — Aleksandra Bal, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
Meanwhile, Natalia has alleged that she was abused by Kristine—a claim explored in Investigation Discovery’s three-part docuseries, which focuses on her account of what took place inside the Barnett household. — Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025 Three former and current volunteer firefighters have filed a lawsuit against an ex-New Jersey police officer and fire official, accusing him of subjecting them to abuse under the guise of training exercises. — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abuse
  1. insult
  2. misuse
  3. bully
  4. attack
  5. use
  6. criticism
  7. torture
  8. scold
Noun
  • Recent White House comments and insults directed at NATO allies – as well as the military alliance itself – have raised alarm and confusion.
    — Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • In a workplace that’s increasingly remote, fast-paced, independent and ever-changing, these aren’t insults.
    — Nirit Cohen, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of insult
Noun
  • However, enforcement of these regulations has been challenging due to the gas’s widespread availability and the difficulty in proving intent for misuse.
    — Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Historical misuse of Indigenous data by researchers has caused some tribes to issue moratoria against sharing their genetic data with researchers.
    — Abigail Dubiniecki, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of misuse
Verb
  • Related article China vows to counter Trump’s ‘bullying’ tariffs as global trade war escalates Another Australian territory targeted by tariffs is the Cocos Islands.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Harvard University settled two lawsuits claiming that the school failed to stop antisemitic harassment and bullying on campus the day after President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
    — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of bully
Verb
  • Aged 30, Makelele had been converted from an attacking midfielder to a deep-lying, anchoring midfielder that would protect his back line and hoover up any defensive actions that came anywhere near his orbit.
    — The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Cena aligned himself with The Rock, attacking Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes after Rhodes turned down The Rock's offer.
    — Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of attack
Verb
  • The team used surrogate dogs -- since adopted through the humane society -- to help give birth to the dire wolves, which are white.
    — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Prosecutors said Mahdi constantly used brutality to solve his problems.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of use
Noun
  • The emotional stories linked with characters portrayed as cold-blooded killers trained by terrorists have left the film amid wide criticism over its intentions.
    — Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Many of the artists now topping the charts have come under fierce criticism because their lyrics often paint cartel leaders as Robin Hood-esque figures.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of criticism
Verb
  • The six defendants allegedly began holding a man against his will on March 14 and proceeded to torture him at a Red Roof Inn in Maumee, Ohio, according to an arrest warrant.
    — Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Eddie quickly discovers that he was lured into the vehicle by William (Anthony Hopkins), the car's wealthy sociopathic owner who tortures criminals (and mocks them over the car's phone) after a life-changing encounter with muggers.
    — Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of torture
Verb
  • Back in the fortress, the Man of Steel scolds Krypto for wrecking the joint while he was gone.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2025
  • After the kid was saved, Beltran scolded the resident, reminding her not to bring her personal life into the ER — or her attending’s.
    — Charlie Mason, TVLine, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of scold

Browse Nearby Words

abundantly
abuse
abused
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Cite this Entry

“Abuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abuse. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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