abuse

About 27.18 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. noun Improper treatment or usage; application to a wrong or bad purpose; an unjust, corrupt or wrongful practice or custom. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}

   human rights abuses

2. noun Misuse; improper use; perversion.
3. noun A delusion; an imposture; misrepresentation; deception.
4. noun Coarse, insulting speech; abusive language; language that unjustly or angrily vilifies.

   children hurling abuse at each other

5. noun Catachresis.
6. noun Physical maltreatment; injury; cruel treatment.
7. noun Violation; defilement; rape; forcing of undesired sexual activity by one person on another, often on a repeated basis.
8. verb To put to a wrong use; to misapply; to use improperly; to use for a wrong purpose or end; to pervert

   He abused his authority.

Similar words

misuse ill-treatment ill-treat ill-usage ill-use revilement maltreat mistreat maltreatment insult

Often followed by

of and in is or the by treatment that

Word family

abusable abused abuser abusers abuses abusing