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abuse
- 1) verb, to use incorrectly or improperly; misuse
- 2) verb, to maltreat, esp physically or sexually
- 3) verb, to speak insultingly or cruelly to; revile
- 4) verb, to masturbate
- 5) noun, improper, incorrect, or excessive use; misuse
- 6) noun, maltreatment of a person; injury
- 7) noun, insulting, contemptuous, or coarse speech
- 8) noun, an evil, unjust, or corrupt practice
- 9) noun, See child abuse
- 10) noun, a deception
Etymology
C14 (vb): via Old French from Latin abūsus, past participle of abūtī to misuse, from ab-1 + ūtī to use
Collins English Electronic Dictionary - Digital Edition: 2008 © HarperCollins Publishers 2008
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Synonyms
defamation, maltreat, wrong, damage, injury, hurt, harm, spoil, bulb, exploit, oppression, imposition, mistreat, manhandle, ill-treat, insult, blame, slight, curse, libel, censure, reproach, scold, indignant, offence, tirade, derision, slander, rude, invective, opprobrium, upbraid, aspersion, character assassination, disparage, vituperation, castigate, contumely, revile, traduce, calumniate, misuse, corruption, perversion, ill-treat, wrong, damage, hurt, injure, harm, mar, oppress, maul, molest, manhandle, rough up, brutalize, maltreat, insult, injure, offend, curse, put down, smear, libel, slate (informal chiefly Brit.), malign, scold, disparage, castigate, revile, vilify, slander, defame, upbraid, slight, traduce, calumniate, vituperate