abuse
The employer was accused of abusing his workers by forcing them to work 12-hour shifts without breaks.
The employer was criticized for treating his workers harshly by making them work long hours without rest.
to treat a person, animal, or thing cruelly or violently
She abused her dog by leaving it outside in the cold.
She treated her dog cruelly by exposing it to harsh weather.
The dictator abused his power to silence political opponents.
The dictator misused his authority to suppress dissent.
Often implies a pattern of behavior rather than a single act.
to use something in a way that is wrong or harmful
He abused the system by using his position to gain unfair advantages.
He exploited the system to benefit himself dishonestly.
The software was abused by hackers to spread malware.
The software was misused by hackers for malicious purposes.
Can refer to misuse of power, resources, or systems.
insulting or offensive language directed at someone
The online forum was filled with abuse after the controversial announcement.
The online forum received many insulting comments following the announcement.
Often used in the context of verbal or written harassment.
wrong or excessive use of a drug or substance
The patient was admitted to the hospital due to drug abuse.
The patient was hospitalized because of harmful and excessive drug use.
In medical contexts, refers to the harmful use of substances like alcohol or narcotics.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoiding Overuse
Use 'abuse' only when describing serious harm or misuse. For minor issues, consider milder words like 'misuse' or 'mistreat'.
Gold Rule
Context Matters
The meaning of 'abuse' changes based on context. In legal settings, it often refers to systemic harm, while in everyday language, it can describe personal mistreatment.
Word Origin
From Latin 'abūsus', past participle of 'abūtī' meaning 'to misuse', from 'ab-' (away) + 'ūtī' (to use). The word entered English in the 16th century with the sense of 'misuse' and later expanded to include 'cruel treatment'.
Usage Notes
Abuse can be physical, emotional, verbal, or systemic. It is a strong word often used in legal, medical, and social contexts to describe harmful behavior. Avoid using it lightly, as it implies serious wrongdoing.