abuse
♦♦ abuse (abuses abusing abused)
The noun is pronounced /əbj'uːs/ The verb is pronounced /əbj'uːz/
1 [N-UNCOUNT] also N in pl, usu with supp
Abuse of someone is cruel and violent treatment of them.
...investigation of alleged child abuse.
...victims of sexual and physical abuse.
...controversy over human rights abuses.
2 [N-UNCOUNT]
Abuse is extremely rude and insulting things that people say when they are angry.
I was left shouting abuse as the car sped off...
3 [N-VAR] with supp
Abuse of something is the use of it in a wrong way or for a bad purpose.
What went on here was an abuse of power.
...drug and alcohol abuse.
4 [VERB] be V-ed, V n, V-ed
If someone is abused, they are treated cruelly and violently.
Janet had been abused by her father since she was eleven.
...parents who feel they cannot cope or might abuse their children.
...those who work with abused children.
● abuser [N-COUNT]
...a convicted child abuser.
5 [VERB] be V-ed, also V n
You can say that someone is abused if extremely rude and insulting things are said to them.
He alleged that he was verbally abused by other soldiers.
= insult
6 [VERB] V n
If you abuse something, you use it in a wrong way or for a bad purpose.
He showed how the rich and powerful can abuse their position.
● abuser [N-COUNT]
...the treatment of alcohol and drug abusers.sex|ual abuse
[N-UNCOUNT]
If a child or other person suffers sexual abuse, someone forces them to take part in sexual activity with them, often regularly over a period of time.sol|vent abuse
[N-UNCOUNT]
Solvent abuse is the dangerous practice of breathing in the gases from substances such as glue in order to feel as if you are drunk. (BRIT FORMAL)
The noun is pronounced /əbj'uːs/ The verb is pronounced /əbj'uːz/
1 [N-UNCOUNT] also N in pl, usu with supp
Abuse of someone is cruel and violent treatment of them.
...investigation of alleged child abuse.
...victims of sexual and physical abuse.
...controversy over human rights abuses.
2 [N-UNCOUNT]
Abuse is extremely rude and insulting things that people say when they are angry.
I was left shouting abuse as the car sped off...
3 [N-VAR] with supp
Abuse of something is the use of it in a wrong way or for a bad purpose.
What went on here was an abuse of power.
...drug and alcohol abuse.
4 [VERB] be V-ed, V n, V-ed
If someone is abused, they are treated cruelly and violently.
Janet had been abused by her father since she was eleven.
...parents who feel they cannot cope or might abuse their children.
...those who work with abused children.
● abuser [N-COUNT]
...a convicted child abuser.
5 [VERB] be V-ed, also V n
You can say that someone is abused if extremely rude and insulting things are said to them.
He alleged that he was verbally abused by other soldiers.
= insult
6 [VERB] V n
If you abuse something, you use it in a wrong way or for a bad purpose.
He showed how the rich and powerful can abuse their position.
● abuser [N-COUNT]
...the treatment of alcohol and drug abusers.sex|ual abuse
[N-UNCOUNT]
If a child or other person suffers sexual abuse, someone forces them to take part in sexual activity with them, often regularly over a period of time.sol|vent abuse
[N-UNCOUNT]
Solvent abuse is the dangerous practice of breathing in the gases from substances such as glue in order to feel as if you are drunk. (BRIT FORMAL)