Meaning & use
abuse
Cruel, violent, or unfair treatment of a person or animal.
See it in a sentence
The charity provides shelter for victims of domestic abuse in the region.
Investigators uncovered years of abuse at the neglected care facility.
A note on using this word
As a noun abuse is stressed on the first syllable; as a verb, meaning to mistreat or misuse, it is stressed on the second.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Another way to use it
2. verb
To treat a person or animal cruelly or violently, or to use something improperly.
He was arrested for abusing his position to demand bribes from clients.
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