to abuse
183
4.3
- verb
- /əˈbjuːz/
:
abusar de
- So it's very important that you and I do not abuse the power that will come with our knowledge of the future.
- abuse substances
- abuse drugs
- abuse prescription drugs
There's a greater tendency to abuse power that one might have.
- There's a greater tendency to abuse power that one might have.
- So you get to have that and not abuse it, use it, don't abuse it.
- It's the result of human value sets that could abuse that superpower.
- What I'm like, yo, you, you, you, you are abusing your privilege.
- Switch companies and you abuse your real estate broker, you abuse that relationship.
- If they were abusing drugs, you would intervene.
- I and it wasn't just with heroin, it was with, I mean, I was abusing Xanax after one flight.
- I come here, I abused the damn place for two or three weeks.
- Well, we have a few too many homes around, but we don't abuse that and certainly no yachts.
Examples
-
People are taking their free speech and abusing free speech.
-
There's a greater tendency to abuse power that one might have.
-
To save their political career, they had to abuse their power.
-
The shame is on those who abuse power by ignoring the facts.
-
One thing I've learned is not to abuse time.
-
The opportunity for defendants and class counsel to abuse the system by striking a quick deal is eliminated.
Academic text (2017) -
New technology is constantly abused, often because it is seen as a shortcut.
Academic text (1994) -
The right of self-representation is not a license to abuse the dignity of the courtroom.
-
There is also evidence to suggest that some manufacturers have been abusing the incentive schemes.
Academic text (1990) -
The manager warned the staff not to abuse the resources provided for the project.
Synonyms
214
5.6
To use someone or something in an unfair way to get an advantage
60
3.9
To do something wrong with money, objects, or power
16
7.2
Change the meaning or purpose so it becomes wrong
5
6.3
To use something in a wrong or unsuitable way
1
7.4
Use things from nature like fish or trees so much that they disappear
Use something or someone too much in a harmful way
To treat people or animals badly and unfairly
Touch or use something too much so it gets damaged
To use power or rights too much and harm people
Compounds
- Offensive
86
3.7
Harming children physically, emotionally or sexually, often by an adult who looks after them
- NSFW
34
2.8
Using illegal or harmful drugs too often so they harm a person's health and life
- NSFW
1
5.8
A drug taken for pleasure that changes how you think and can cause addiction or harm
- Specialized
Harmful heavy drinking that often causes addiction and health problems
How Harmful
Surface Forms
Etymology
Abuse comes from Latin parts ab- ('away') and uti ('to use'), so it originally meant 'to use wrongly'. To abuse something as a verb is to 'use' it in the wrong or too-strong way, which can cause damage or harm.