abuse

1. verb

1)

the judge abused his power

Syn:

misuse, misapply, misemploy; exploit, take advantage of

2)

he was accused of abusing children

Syn:

mistreat, maltreat, ill-treat, treat badly; molest, interfere with, indecently assault, sexually abuse, sexually assault; injure, hurt, harm, damage

Ant:

look after, nurture

3)

the referee was abused by players from both teams

Syn:

insult, be rude to, swear at, curse, call someone names, taunt, badmouth, dis, shout at, revile, inveigh against, bawl out, vilify, slander, cast aspersions on

Ant:

compliment, flatter

2. noun

1)

the abuse of power

Syn:

misuse, misapplication, misemployment; exploitation

2)

the abuse of children

Syn:

mistreatment, maltreatment, ill-treatment; molestation, interference, indecent assault, sexual abuse, sexual assault; injury, hurt, harm, damage

Ant:

care, nurturing

3)

the scheme is open to administrative abuse

Syn:

corruption, injustice, wrongdoing, wrong, misconduct, misdeed(s), offense(s), crime(s), sin(s)

4)

torrents of abuse

Syn:

insults, curses, jibes, expletives, swear words; swearing, cursing, name-calling; invective, vilification, vituperation, slander; informal trash talk; archaic contumely

Ant:

compliments, flattery

5)

alcohol abuse

Syn:

addiction, dependency, overuse, misuse, problems