abuse

1. Cruel or inhumane treatment (synset 100420921)
   "the child showed signs of physical abuse"
   is a type of: mistreatment - the practice of treating (someone or something) badly
   subtypes:

   • child abuse - the physical or emotional or sexual mistreatment of children
   • child neglect - failure of caretakers to provide adequate emotional and physical care for a child
   • persecution - the act of persecuting (especially on the basis of race or religion)
   • cruelty, inhuman treatment - a cruel act; a deliberate infliction of pain and suffering
   same as: ill-treatment, ill-usage, maltreatment
2. A rude expression intended to offend or hurt (synset 106728162)
   "when a student made a stupid mistake he spared them no abuse"; "they yelled insults at the visiting team"
   is a type of: discourtesy, disrespect - an expression of lack of respect
   subtypes:

   • low blow - unscrupulous abuse
   • billingsgate, scurrility - foul-mouthed or obscene abuse
   • cut, stinger - a remark capable of wounding mentally
   • invective, vitriol, vituperation - abusive or venomous language used to express blame or censure or bitter deep-seated ill will
   same as: contumely, insult, revilement, vilification
3. Improper or excessive use (synset 100949535)
   "alcohol abuse"; "the abuse of public funds"
   is a type of: employment, exercise, usage, use, utilisation, utilization - the act of using
   subtypes: drug abuse, habit, substance abuse - excessive use of drugs
   same as: misuse

1. Treat badly (synset 202522260)
   "This boss abuses his workers"; "She is always stepping on others to get ahead"
   is a type of: do by, handle, treat - interact in a certain way
   subtypes: kick around - treat badly; abuse
   same as: ill-treat, ill-use, maltreat, mistreat, step
2. Change the inherent purpose or function of something (synset 200203575)
   "Don't abuse the system"; "The director of the factory misused the funds intended for the health care of his workers"
   is a type of: expend, use - use up, consume fully
   subtypes:

   • fracture - violate or abuse
   • take in vain - use a name, such as God, without proper respect
   same as: misuse, pervert
3. Use foul or abusive language towards (synset 200846978)
   "The actress abused the policeman who gave her a parking ticket"; "The angry mother shouted at the teacher"
   is a type of: assail, assault, attack, lash out, round, snipe - attack in speech or writing
   subtypes:

   • slang - abuse with coarse language
   • rail, revile, vilify, vituperate - spread negative information about
   • curse - heap obscenities upon
   same as: blackguard, clapperclaw, shout
4. Use wrongly or improperly or excessively (synset 200203918)
   "Her husband often abuses alcohol"; "while she was pregnant, she abused drugs"
   is a type of: expend, use - use up, consume fully

Other Searches

• Rhyme: Dillfrog, RhymeZone
• Definition: Wiktionary, Dictionary.com, Wikipedia, Merriam-Webster, WordNet, Power Thesaurus
• Imagery: Google, Flickr, Bing