abuse

Noun

• improper or excessive use
  • alcohol abuse
    
  • the abuse of public funds
    

• a rude expression intended to offend or hurt
  • when a student made a stupid mistake he spared them no abuse
    
  • they yelled insults at the visiting team
    

• cruel or inhumane treatment
  • the child showed signs of physical abuse
    

Verb

• use wrongly or improperly or excessively
  • Her husband often abuses alcohol
    
  • while she was pregnant, she abused drugs
    

• use foul or abusive language towards
  • The actress abused the policeman who gave her a parking ticket
    
  • The angry mother shouted at the teacher
    

• change the inherent purpose or function of something
  • Don't abuse the system
    
  • The director of the factory misused the funds intended for the health care of his workers
    

• treat badly
  • This boss abuses his workers
    
  • She is always stepping on others to get ahead
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  misuse , insult , revilement , contumely , vilification , maltreatment , ill-treatment , ill-usage , clapperclaw , blackguard , shout , pervert , mistreat , maltreat , ill-use , step , ill-treat