Dictionary Entry
abuse
abuse is a 5-letter English word with 18 senses as transitive verb, noun, and verb in the JumbleFix dictionary. One common meaning is: To put to a wrong use; to misapply; to misuse; to put to a bad use; to use for a wrong purpose or end; to pervert; as, to abuse inherited gold; to make an excessive use of; as, to abuse one's authority. Face value is 7 in Scrabble and 9 in Words With Friends. Use the entries below when you need a playable sense, a nearby word, or another arrangement of the same letters.
5 letters · Scrabble 7 · Words With Friends 9 · 18 senses
Definitions
- 1transitive verb
To put to a wrong use; to misapply; to misuse; to put to a bad use; to use for a wrong purpose or end; to pervert; as, to abuse inherited gold; to make an excessive use of; as, to abuse one's authority.
- 2transitive verb
To use ill; to maltreat; to act injuriously to; to punish or to tax excessively; to hurt; as, to abuse prisoners, to abuse one's powers, one's patience.
- 3transitive verb
To revile; to reproach coarsely; to disparage.
- 4transitive verb
To dishonor.
- 5transitive verb
To violate; to ravish.
- 6transitive verb
To deceive; to impose on.
- 7transitive verb
Improper treatment or use; application to a wrong or bad purpose; misuse; as, an abuse of our natural powers; an abuse of civil rights, or of privileges or advantages; an abuse of language.
- 8transitive verb
Physical ill treatment; injury.
- 9transitive verb
A corrupt practice or custom; offense; crime; fault; as, the abuses in the civil service.
- 10transitive verb
Vituperative words; coarse, insulting speech; abusive language; virulent condemnation; reviling.
- 11transitive verb
Violation; rape; as, abuse of a female child.
- 12noun
cruel or inhumane treatment
"the child showed signs of physical abuse"
Synonyms
- 13noun
improper or excessive use
"alcohol abuse"
"the abuse of public funds"
Synonyms
- 14noun
a rude expression intended to offend or hurt
"when a student made a stupid mistake he spared them no abuse"
"they yelled insults at the visiting team"
- 15verb
change the inherent purpose or function of something
"Don't abuse the system"
"The director of the factory misused the funds intended for the health care of his workers"
- 16verb
use wrongly or improperly or excessively
"Her husband often abuses alcohol"
"while she was pregnant, she abused drugs"
- 17verb
use foul or abusive language towards
"The actress abused the policeman who gave her a parking ticket"
"The angry mother shouted at the teacher"
Synonyms
- 18verb
treat badly
"This boss abuses his workers"
"She is always stepping on others to get ahead"
Synonyms
Anagrams
Other playable words that use exactly the letters in abuse:
Common word forms
Words from these letters
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