1
as in insult
harsh insulting language
hometown fans hurled abuse at the visiting team
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in misuse
incorrect or improper use
naturally the furniture had received a lot of abuse from the 10 kids in the family
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to bully
to inflict physical or emotional harm upon
if you abuse your pet, he will always have an ugly disposition
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to attack
to criticize harshly and usually publicly
a demanding, difficult patient who constantly abuses the nurses and aides
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to misuse
to put to a bad or improper use
if you abuse your baseball bat by using it to hammer nails, don't expect it to last long
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to use
to take unfair advantage of
abused his parents' trust, pilfering small amounts from them that he hoped they wouldn't notice
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of abuse
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 18 Apr. 2025
Behind her glamorous exterior, the real Dorothy was a closeted lesbian who struggled with substance abuse and was mistreated by the men within Hollywood’s studio system before ultimately committing suicide.
—Abby Monteil, Them., 17 Apr. 2025
Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Three former and current volunteer firefighters have filed a lawsuit against an ex-New Jersey police officer and fire official, accusing him of subjecting them to abuse under the guise of training exercises.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abuse
Noun
Following that, Judge Subramanian denied a defense motion to throw out some of the counts in the indictment, but in a win for Combs’ lawyers barred testimony from two prosecution witnesses who were poised to discuss alleged abuse by Combs that occurred two decades ago.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 18 Apr. 2025
Behind her glamorous exterior, the real Dorothy was a closeted lesbian who struggled with substance abuse and was mistreated by the men within Hollywood’s studio system before ultimately committing suicide.
—Abby Monteil, Them., 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
Meanwhile, Natalia has alleged that she was abused by Kristine—a claim explored in Investigation Discovery’s three-part docuseries, which focuses on her account of what took place inside the Barnett household.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Three former and current volunteer firefighters have filed a lawsuit against an ex-New Jersey police officer and fire official, accusing him of subjecting them to abuse under the guise of training exercises.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abuse
Noun
-
But some Republican registrars took them as an insult, and at least one, Lisa Amatruda of Woodbury, walked out.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
16 Apr. 2025
-
The imitation Punisher logo on Cole’s bullet was no act of flattery, but the most vile of insults.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Historical misuse of Indigenous data by researchers has caused some tribes to issue moratoria against sharing their genetic data with researchers.—
Abigail Dubiniecki,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
However, enforcement of these regulations has been challenging due to the gas’s widespread availability and the difficulty in proving intent for misuse.—
Ella Jeffries,
Smithsonian Magazine,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
In the novel and subsequent film adaptation, Sue initially joins in bullying Carrie but later decides to try to befriend her.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2025
-
With his carry-on bag, his ID and medication inside, now with the DEA, David had no choice but to step off the plane and was eventually bullied into permitting a search of his bag.—
Andrew Wimer,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Every American should reject the president's and his cronies' illegitimate use of government power to attack his enemies.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Korematsu was just 22 years old and working hard to expand his family’s flower nursery outside San Francisco when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941.—
Lauren Stienstra,
Time,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Prosecutors said Mahdi constantly used brutality to solve his problems.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
-
The team used surrogate dogs -- since adopted through the humane society -- to help give birth to the dire wolves, which are white.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
For an artist so focused on the future, criticism doesn’t slow him down.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The messaging also included criticism of U.S. policy that echoed China's public statements.—
Beijing and Washington Bureaus,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The Court's ruling requires DHS to provide basic procedural protections so that persons are not secretly removed to a country where they may be persecuted or tortured.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Michael Sang Correa was charged with torturing five men believed to be opponents of Yahya Jammeh following an unsuccessful plot to remove him from power in 2006.—
Colleen Slevin,
Denver Post,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The White House was reprimanded: A federal judge scolded the Trump administration for failing to try to return the man.—
Cate Martel,
The Hill,
16 Apr. 2025
-
In Congress, Trump’s Tariff Pullback Sparks Relief, Frustration, and Suspicion At the White House, press secretary Karoline Leavitt scolded reporters for not understanding the president’s plans.—
Time,
Time,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abuse. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share