[
US
/əbˈjus, əbˈjuz/
]
NOUN
-
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 -
improper or excessive use
the abuse of public funds
alcohol abuse -
cruel or inhumane treatment
the child showed signs of physical abuse
VERB
-
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 -
use foul or abusive language towards
The angry mother shouted at the teacher
The actress abused the policeman who gave her a parking ticket -
treat badly
This boss abuses his workers
She is always stepping on others to get ahead -
use wrongly or improperly or excessively
Her husband often abuses alcohol
while she was pregnant, she abused drugs
How To Use abuse In A Sentence
- He said this was an abuse of public monies and the fact there was no contribution from the business community was ‘grossly unfair.’
- So they set up this fund to compensate victims in serious cases of abuse.
- Inhuman hours, back-stabbing competition, abuse by superiors; it's all familiar now.
- We berate those who cross the line and leave the immature and underdeveloped open to the physical abuse of contact and collision sports.
- Harsh discipline was the child's lot, and they were often terrorized deliberately and, not infrequently, sexually abused.
- My stepfather was strict and didn't let us have friends in the house; he physically abused me but not sexually.
- The report, which was based upon conversations with children who telephoned helplines, also claimed that the hidden problem of solvent abuse kills more children than drugs every year.
- In Katine sub-county we hear about rape, defilement and child abuse, mostly of girls.
- The abuse of libel laws is not imaginary. Times, Sunday Times
- 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 -
