abuse

The word “abuse” has 2 syllables: a-buse

It's pronounced as /əˈbjuz/

What is synonym and antonym for abuse?

In the thesaurus, “abuse” has 253 synonyms and 76 antonyms.

Here are synonyms and antonyms for abuse along with examples of usage in sentences.

Synonyms for abuse

affront
asperse
aspersion
assail
attack
backbite
bad-mouth
bad-mouthing
bang up
bash
beat up
beat up on
belabor
belittle
belittlement
berate
billingsgate
blackguard
blackguardism
blame
blaspheme
blasphemy
blast
bleed
blow off
broadside
brutalize
bully
bung up
burn
calumniate
cap
castigate
castigation
censure
chastise
chastisement
cheat
chide
commercialize
commodify
corrupt
corruption
crime
criticism
criticize
curse
curses
cuss out
cut down
cut to the quick
cut up
damage
debase
debasement
decry
defamation
defame
defile
defilement
degrade
delinquency
deprave
derision
derogate
desecrate
desecration
destruction
diatribe
discount
disparage
disparagement
dissipate
do a number on
do an injustice to
dump on
epithet
excoriate
excoriation
execrate
execration
exhaust
expletive
exploit
exploitation
fault
fleece
fulminate
fulmination
give a black eye
harangue
harass
harm
harry
hose
hosing
hurl brickbat
hurt
ill-treat
ill-treatment
ill-usage
ill-use
impair
impairment
impose on
imprecate
imprecation
injure
injury
injustice
insult
insults
invective
jerk around
kick around
kicking around
knifing
knock
lambast
lambaste
leverage
libel
light into
malediction
malevolence
maltreat
maltreatment
manhandle
manhandling
manipulate
mar
mess over
mess up
milk
minimize
misapplication
misapply
misconduct
misdeed
misemploy
misemployment
mishandle
mishandling
mismanage
mismanagement
mismanaging
mistreat
mistreatment
misusage
misuse
misutilization
molest
nag
obloquy
offend
offense
oppress
opprobrium
outrage
overburden
overcharge
overtax
overwork
persecute
perversion
pervert
pick on
pimp
polemic
pollute
pollution
potshot
profanation
profane
profanity
prostitute
prostitution
pushing around
put down
put-down
quinine
rag on
rebuke
reprimand
reproach
reproof
revile
revilement
ride
rip up
rough up
roughhouse
ruin
run down
sail into
sandbag
savage
scathe
scold
scolding
scurrility
shake up
signify
signifying
sin
skin
slam
slander
slap
sling mud
slur
smear
soak
sound
spoil
spoiling
squander
stick
swear at
swearing
swearword
taint
take apart
tear apart
tie into
tirade
torment
torture
total
trade on
traduce
trash
twist
upbraid
upbraiding
use
victimize
vilification
vilify
violate
violation
vitriol
vituperate
vituperation
walk on
waste
wax
whip
work
wrecking
wrong
wrongdoing
zing

Antonyms for abuse

acclaim
acclamation
adulate
adulation
advantage
aid
applause
application
apply
approval
approve
assist
baby
benefit
blarney
blessing
care for
cherish
clean
coddle
commend
commendation
compliment
compliments
congratulations
defend
employ
employment
endearments
esteem
exalt
exaltation
favor
felicitations
flatter
flattery
foster
good
good deed
goodness
gratify
grow
hail
help
hoard
honor
humor
improve
indulge
kindness
laud
mollycoddle
nurture
obedience
overpraise
pamper
plaudit
please
pleasure
praise
preservation
preserve
prize
protect
purify
respect
revere
sanctify
save
soft soap
spoil
treasure
treat well
use
utilization
utilize

Meanings of abuse

noun
1. Improper treatment or usage; application to a wrong or bad purpose; an unjust, corrupt or wrongful practice or custom.
2. Misuse; improper use; perversion.
3. A delusion; an imposture; misrepresentation; deception.
4. Coarse, insulting speech; abusive language; language that unjustly or angrily vilifies.
5. Catachresis.
6. Physical maltreatment; injury; cruel treatment.
7. Violation; defilement; rape; forcing of undesired sexual activity by one person on another, often on a repeated basis.
verb
1. To put to a wrong use; to misapply; to use improperly; to misuse; to use for a wrong purpose or end; to pervert.
2. To injure; to maltreat; to hurt; to treat with cruelty, especially repeatedly.
3. To attack with coarse language; to insult; to revile; malign; to speak in an offensive manner to or about someone; to disparage.
4. To imbibe a drug for a purpose other than it was intended; to intentionally take more of a drug than was prescribed for recreational reasons; to take illegal drugs habitually.
5. To violate; defile; to rape.
6. Misrepresent; adulterate.
7. To deceive; to trick; to impose on; misuse the confidence of.
8. Disuse.

Example Sentences

Abuse of power can lead to serious consequences in any organization.
It's crucial to raise awareness about the various forms of abuse to prevent them from occurring.
She bravely spoke out against the abuse she endured in her previous relationship.
The company implemented strict policies to address workplace abuse and harassment.
Animal shelters provide refuge for pets that have suffered from neglect or abuse.

On this page you'll find 329 synonyms, antonyms, or another words to abuse, such as: acclaim, acclamation, adulate, adulation, advantage, affront, aid.

Make sure to choose synonyms and antonyms that are appropriate for the context of the sentence.