Definition of "abuse"
- verb
To deceive; to trick; to impose on; misuse the confidence of.
Misrepresent; adulterate.
To violate; defile.
To imbibe a drug for a purpose other than it was intended; to intentionally take more of a drug than was prescribed for recreational reasons; to take illegal drugs habitually.
To attack with coarse language; to insult; to revile; malign; to speak in an offensive manner to or about someone; to disparage.
To injure; to maltreat; to hurt; to treat with cruelty, especially repeatedly.
To put to a wrong use; to misapply; to use improperly; to misuse; to use for a wrong purpose or end; to pervert; as, to abuse one's authority.
- noun
Physical maltreatment; injury; cruel treatment.
Coarse, insulting speech; abusive language; language that unjustly or angrily vilifies.
Misuse; improper use; perversion.
Improper treatment or usage; application to a wrong or bad purpose; an unjust, corrupt or wrongful practice or custom.
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