[ US /əbˈjus, əbˈjuz/ ]
NOUN
  1. a rude expression intended to offend or hurt
    when a student made a stupid mistake he spared them no abuse
    they yelled insults at the visiting team
  2. improper or excessive use
    the abuse of public funds
    alcohol abuse
  3. cruel or inhumane treatment
    the child showed signs of physical abuse
VERB
  1. change the inherent purpose or function of something
    The director of the factory misused the funds intended for the health care of his workers
    Don't abuse the system
  2. use foul or abusive language towards
    The angry mother shouted at the teacher
    The actress abused the policeman who gave her a parking ticket
  3. treat badly
    This boss abuses his workers
    She is always stepping on others to get ahead
  4. use wrongly or improperly or excessively
    Her husband often abuses alcohol
    while she was pregnant, she abused drugs
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How To Use abuse In A Sentence

  • While the site focuses mainly on their environmental concerns, they're also up in arms about the Bush administration's general abuse and disregard for science - including the idea that abstinence is some kind of cureall. News from the House of Sticks -
  • He said this was an abuse of public monies and the fact there was no contribution from the business community was ‘grossly unfair.’
  • We love our king, we just don't love the way he abuses our money," a Swazi friend once explained to me. How long can Swaziland resist reform?
  • Siva's devotees are forbidden to use drugs of abuse, such as cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, barbiturates, psychedelics and marijuana, unless prescribed by a licensed physician.
  • So they set up this fund to compensate victims in serious cases of abuse.
  • Harsh discipline was the child's lot, and they were often terrorized deliberately and, not infrequently, sexually abused.
  • Yorkshire abused by such a pitiful prater; and when wrought up to a certain pitch, she would turn and say something of which neither the matter nor the manner recommended her to Mr. Donne's good - will. Shirley, by Charlotte Bronte
  • Inhuman hours, back-stabbing competition, abuse by superiors; it's all familiar now.
  • For all the abuse, there are moments of unmitigated delight as well.
  • Sudden sniffing death is particularly associated with abuse of butane, propane and chemicals in aerosols.
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