Antonyms for abuse


Grammar : Noun, verb
Spell : verb uh-byooz; noun uh-byoos
Phonetic Transcription : verb əˈbyuz; noun əˈbyus


Definition of abuse

Origin :
  • early 15c., "to misuse, misapply," from Middle French abuser, from Vulgar Latin *abusare, from Latin abusus "an abusing, using up," past participle of abuti "use up," also "misuse," from ab- "away" (see ab-) + uti "use" (see use). Of sexual situations from early 15c., but originally incest, homosexuality, prostitution, etc.; meaning "to misuse sexually, ravish" is from 1550s. Specifically of drugs, from 1968. Related: Abused; abusing.
  • noun wrong use
  • noun physical hurting, injuring
  • noun verbal attack
  • verb physically hurt or injure
  • verb use wrongly
  • verb attack with words
  • verb take advantage of
Example sentences :
  • Let us rejoice that one such partisan was now at hand to stem the torrent of abuse.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • Abandonment and abuse are not acts of God, they are failures of love.
  • Extract from : « United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches » by Various
  • Oh, Whizzer, you poor fellow, why do you let him abuse you so?
  • Extract from : « Chip, of the Flying U » by B. M. Bower
  • That would have been an abuse of our treaties, and unworthy of your character.
  • Extract from : « The Last of the Mohicans » by James Fenimore Cooper
  • Yes, they have good times, their freedom is large, and they do not abuse it.
  • Extract from : « American Notes » by Rudyard Kipling
  • People are apt to abuse mathematics, when they don't know what they're talking about.
  • Extract from : « The Rock of Chickamauga » by Joseph A. Altsheler
  • I do not mind about the man's abuse; but I confess I grudge my twopence.
  • Extract from : « The Atlantic Monthly, Vol. 10, No. 58, August, 1862 » by Various
  • With all the abuse they had borne, not one of the brothers had been struck before.
  • Extract from : « The Widow O'Callaghan's Boys » by Gulielma Zollinger
  • She knows her power, and I am afraid this tempts her to abuse it.
  • Extract from : « Tales And Novels, Volume 8 (of 10) » by Maria Edgeworth
  • To come to rave against and abuse my dearest, dearest, faultless friend!
  • Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 3 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson

Synonyms for abuse

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019