Meaning of abuse In English

• 0 to use something for the wrong purpose in a way that is harmful or morally wrong:

  • She is continually abusing her position/authority by getting other people to do things for her.

  • I never expected that he would abuse the trust I placed in him.

  • to abuse alcohol

• 1 to treat someone cruelly or violently:

  • Several of the children had been sexually/physically/emotionally abused.

• 2 to speak to someone rudely or cruelly:

  • The crowd started abusing him after he failed to save a goal.

• 3 the use of something in a way that is harmful or morally wrong:

  • an abuse (= wrong use) of privilege/power/someone's kindness

  • Drug and alcohol abuse (= using these substances in a bad way) contributed to his early death.

• 4 cruel, violent, or unfair treatment of someone:

  • She claimed to have been a victim of child abuse .

  • sexual/physical/mental abuse (= bad treatment)

• 5 rude and offensive words said to another person:

  • He had apparently experienced a lot of verbal abuse from his co-workers.

  • He hurled (a stream/torrent of) abuse at her (= he said a lot of rude and offensive things to her).

  • "Idiot!" is a term of abuse (= an insulting expression).

• 6 bad or cruel treatment of a person or animal, or the use of something in an unsuitable or wrong way:

  • [ U ] The rescued dogs had been victims of physical abuse.

• 7 to treat a person or animal badly or cruelly, or to use something in the wrong way:

  • He was always welcome but he never abused the privilege by visiting us too often.

• 8 a situation in which a person uses something in a bad or wrong way, especially for their own advantage or pleasure:

  • The former president has been accused of corruption and abuse of power.

  • The politician employs his two sons to work in his office at taxpayers' expense, which critics say is an abuse of his position.

  • The CEO was fined for market abuse after encouraging his friends to buy shares before the takeover was announced publicly.

  • Employees are routinely tested for drug and alcohol abuse.

• 9 rude and offensive words said to another person:

  • He claimed he had received verbal abuse from his co-workers.

• 10 to use something in a bad or wrong way, especially for your own advantage or pleasure:

  • The Chief Executive is accused of abusing his position by advising family members when to buy and sell shares.

  • Workers found to be abusing drugs or alcohol will be offered help.

• 11 to use rude and offensive words to another person:

  • Striking workers abused colleagues who continued to go into work.