ABUSE Synonyms: 209 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'abuse' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of abuse are billingsgate , invective , obloquy , and vituperation . While all these words mean "vehemently expressed condemnation or disapproval," abuse , the most general term, usually implies the anger of the speaker and stresses the harshness of the language. // scathing verbal abuse

Q: When might 'billingsgate' be a better fit than 'abuse'?

While in some cases nearly identical to abuse , billingsgate implies practiced fluency and variety of profane or obscene abuse. // directed a stream of billingsgate at the cabdriver

Q: When would 'invective' be a good substitute for 'abuse'?

In some situations, the words invective and abuse are roughly equivalent. However, invective implies a comparable vehemence but suggests greater verbal and rhetorical skill and may apply to a public denunciation. // blistering political invective

Q: When is 'obloquy' a more appropriate choice than 'abuse'?

While the synonyms obloquy and abuse are close in meaning, obloquy suggests defamation and consequent shame and disgrace. // subjected to obloquy and derision

Q: Where would 'vituperation' be a reasonable alternative to 'abuse'?

The words vituperation and abuse can be used in similar contexts, but vituperation implies fluent and sustained abuse. // a torrent of vituperation

abuse 1 of 2

noun

ə-ˈbyüs

Definition of abuse next

as in insult

harsh insulting language hometown fans hurled abuse at the visiting team

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in misuse

incorrect or improper use naturally the furniture had received a lot of abuse from the 10 kids in the family

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abuse

2 of 2

verb

ə-ˈbyüz

as in to bully

to inflict physical or emotional harm upon if you abuse your pet, he will always have an ugly disposition

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as in to attack

to criticize harshly and usually publicly a demanding, difficult patient who constantly abuses the nurses and aides

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as in to misuse

to put to a bad or improper use if you abuse your baseball bat by using it to hammer nails, don't expect it to last long

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as in to use

to take unfair advantage of abused his parents' trust, pilfering small amounts from them that he hoped they wouldn't notice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word abuse distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of abuse are billingsgate, invective, obloquy, and vituperation. While all these words mean "vehemently expressed condemnation or disapproval," abuse, the most general term, usually implies the anger of the speaker and stresses the harshness of the language.

scathing verbal abuse

When might billingsgate be a better fit than abuse?

While in some cases nearly identical to abuse, billingsgate implies practiced fluency and variety of profane or obscene abuse.

directed a stream of billingsgate at the cabdriver

When would invective be a good substitute for abuse?

In some situations, the words invective and abuse are roughly equivalent. However, invective implies a comparable vehemence but suggests greater verbal and rhetorical skill and may apply to a public denunciation.

blistering political invective

When is obloquy a more appropriate choice than abuse?

While the synonyms obloquy and abuse are close in meaning, obloquy suggests defamation and consequent shame and disgrace.

subjected to obloquy and derision

Where would vituperation be a reasonable alternative to abuse?

The words vituperation and abuse can be used in similar contexts, but vituperation implies fluent and sustained abuse.

a torrent of vituperation

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of abuse

Noun

Last February, Richardson filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against local law enforcement alleging a pattern of abuse. —

Abc News, ABC News, 14 Jan. 2025 The 1991 California ballot initiative would have added a five-cent tax per drink to fund alcohol and drug abuse programs. —

Jackie Snow, Quartz, 13 Jan. 2025

Verb

Biden and other Democratic presidents, particularly Obama, have warned that Trump is a threat to democracy who would abuse the office of the presidency. —

Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 9 Jan. 2025 Like Collins, who was in her late 20s when her son was killed, many abuse victims are also dependent on the men who abused them and their families — for housing, money and food. —

Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for abuse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abuse

Noun

This is a dangerous conflation and an insult to women who choose to cook.

Mina Holland, Vogue, 11 Jan. 2025
This can be through verbal insults, physical acts like slapping and spitting, or openly degrading someone by telling them to perform humiliating tasks (say, drinking a random glass of milk in front of your work colleagues).

Fran Tirado, Them, 10 Jan. 2025