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1. Treat badly
   "This boss abuses his workers"
   - mistreat, maltreat, ill-use, step, ill-treat
    
2. Change the inherent purpose or function of something
   "Don't abuse the system"
   - pervert, misuse
    
3. Use foul or abusive language towards
   "The actress abused the policeman who gave her a parking ticket"
   - clapperclaw [archaic], blackguard, shout
    
4. Use wrongly or improperly or excessively
   "Her husband often abuses alcohol"; "while she was pregnant, she abused drugs"

1. Cruel or inhumane treatment
   "the child showed signs of physical abuse"
   - maltreatment, ill-treatment, ill-usage
    
2. A rude expression intended to offend or hurt
   "when a student made a stupid mistake he spared them no abuse"
   - insult, revilement, contumely [archaic], vilification
    
3. Improper or excessive use
   "alcohol abuse"; "the abuse of public funds"
   - misuse

Derived forms: abused, abuses, abusing

See also: abuser, abusive

Type of: assail, assault, attack, discourtesy, disrespect, do by, employment, exercise, expend, handle, lash out, mistreatment, round, snipe, treat, usage, use, utilisation [Brit], utilization

Encyclopedia: Abuse Abuse, substance