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- parts of speech:
- verb, noun
- features:
- Word Explorer, Word Parts
| part of speech: |
verb |
| pronunciation: |
byuz
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| inflections: |
abuses, abusing, abused |
| definition 1: |
to use in a way that is wrong or bad; misuse.
If you abuse your privileges, you will lose them.She abuses alcohol.- synonyms:
- misuse
- similar words:
- exploit
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| definition 2: |
to hurt or harm by treating badly.
His stepfather used to abuse him, and he broke his arm one time.Smokers abuse their own lungs.- synonyms:
- disrespect, mistreat, misuse, wrong
- antonyms:
- honor, respect
- similar words:
- affront, batter, beat, harm, hit, hurt, injure, offend, oppress, persecute, punish, strike, torment
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| definition 3: |
to talk to or about in an insulting or unfair way.
I don't care what he says about me, but I can't stand when he abuses my sister.- synonyms:
- badmouth, chew out, insult, malign
- antonyms:
- compliment, praise
- similar words:
- affront, curse, lash, offend
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| related words: |
attack, bully, insult, scold |
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| part of speech: |
noun |
| pronunciation: |
byus
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| definition 1: |
bad or wrong use; misuse.
It is an abuse of power for the king to take money from poor people so that he can live in luxury.- synonyms:
- misuse
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| definition 2: |
cruel or harmful treatment.
After two weeks of abuse, the new doll's head fell off.- synonyms:
- mistreatment, wrong
- antonyms:
- care
- similar words:
- battery, harm, injury, punishment, torture
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| definition 3: |
harsh or insulting words.
The enemies hurled abuse at each other.- antonyms:
- praise
- similar words:
- curse, insult, scolding, shaft
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| related words: |
affront, assault, attack, offense |
| derivation: |
abuser (n.) |
The word abuse
contains the following parts:
ab-, abs-
Latin
prefix
that means from, away from
  More about this word part:
Most words containing the prefix ab-
, abs-
are Latin loanwords, so the bases are Latin roots. ab-
becomes abs-
before bases beginning with "t," such as "tract."
Example words:
abbreviate, abbreviation, abdicate, abduct, abnormal, abolish, aborigine, abrasive, abrupt, absence, absent, absolute, absorb, abstain, abstract, abuse
us, ut, util
Latin
root
that means use
Example words:
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