noun
abuse
uh-BYOOS
noun
1
Cruel or violent treatment of a person, often repeated.
"The charity supports survivors of domestic abuse."
"Reports of abuse at the facility triggered an investigation."
2
The wrong or harmful use of something, such as power, drugs, or a position of trust.
"The senator was accused of abuse of power."
verb
1
To treat someone cruelly or violently.
"He was accused of abusing his position to intimidate staff."
"It is illegal to abuse a child in any way."
2
To use something improperly or excessively, especially drugs or alcohol.
"She began to abuse painkillers after her surgery."
How to Use Abuse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHarmful or improper treatment of a person, or the wrongful use of something like power or drugs.
Common pairings
domestic abuse
substance abuse
abuse of power
verbal abuse
Word Forms
abused past tense, abuses plural, abuses singular
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Etymology
From Latin abusus, "misused," from ab- ("away") plus uti ("to use") — literally a "using away" or using something up wrongly.