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Definitions

abuse

[uh-byooz, uh-byoos] / əˈbyuz, əˈbyus /
NOUN
wrong use
Synonyms
STRONGEST
corruption crime exploitation injustice misconduct misdeed misuse offense prostitution wrongdoing
STRONG
debasement delinquency desecration fault misapplication mishandling mismanage perversion sin wrong
Antonyms
STRONGEST
good deed kindness obedience
STRONG
goodness
WEAK
acclamation adulation aid approval commendation help plaudit praise preservation respect
NOUN
physical hurting, injuring
Synonyms
STRONGEST
crime damage harm injury maltreatment misdeed offense pollution violation wrongdoing
STRONG
defilement hurt impairment malevolence manhandling
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advantage benefit blessing favor good good deed kindness obedience pleasure
WEAK
acclamation adulation aid approval commendation help plaudit praise preservation respect
NOUN
verbal attack
Synonyms
STRONG
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
bad-mouthing kicking around pushing around
Antonyms
STRONG
approval commendation compliment exaltation flattery praise
WEAK
acclamation adulation aid help plaudit preservation respect
VERB
physically hurt or injure
Synonyms
STRONGEST
beat up corrupt harm impair maltreat mistreat misuse molest persecute victimize violate
STRONG
damage defile deprave desecrate hose ill-treat mar mishandle oppress pollute roughhouse ruin spoil taint total wax
WEAK
bang up bung up cut up mess up rough up shake up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid assist help improve please protect treat well
STRONG
clean grow honor purify sanctify
WEAK
acclaim adulate approve benefit care for cherish commend compliment defend esteem praise preserve prize respect revere treasure
VERB
use wrongly
Synonyms
STRONGEST
misuse squander
STRONG
dissipate exhaust mishandle overburden overtax overwork prostitute spoil taint waste
WEAK
misemploy
Antonyms
STRONG
hoard save
WEAK
acclaim adulate approve benefit care for cherish commend compliment defend esteem help honor praise preserve prize protect respect revere treasure
VERB
attack with words
Synonyms
STRONGEST
insult offend persecute revile
STRONG
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
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
Antonyms
STRONGEST
compliment
STRONG
approve exalt flatter laud praise
WEAK
acclaim adulate benefit care for cherish commend defend esteem help honor preserve prize protect respect revere treasure
VERB
take advantage of
Synonyms
STRONGEST
exploit
STRONG
use wrong
WEAK
do an injustice to impose on
Antonyms
WEAK
acclaim adulate approve benefit care for cherish commend compliment defend esteem help honor praise preserve prize protect respect revere treasure

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“This kind of abuse undermines trust, drains critical resources, and threatens care for those who truly depend on it,” the AG said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

Last year, the force commissioned an independent review into missed opportunities carried out by Hydrant - a specialist team of senior officers that supports forces with abuse investigations – while it continued to investigate.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

The appeals court also upheld his conviction for abuse of power for excluding cabinet members from a meeting to plan the imposition of martial law.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

States are also required to check a federal blacklist of providers that committed crimes, gross negligence, fraud or patient abuse, as well as visit providers deemed a high fraud risk.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

This abuse of the dead displeased all the immortals except Hera and Athena and Poseidon.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

Vocabulary lists containing abuse

Common Five-letter Words for Wordle, List 4

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Macbeth's "Is this a dagger..." soliloquy

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Herbert Hoover on "Rugged Individualism" (1928)

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