Synonyms of abuse

abuse 1 of 2

noun

ə-ˈbyüs 

1

as in insult

harsh insulting language

hometown fans hurled abuse at the visiting team

Synonyms & Similar Words

• insult
• criticism
• vituperation
• invective
• scurrility
• curse
• billingsgate
• vitriol
• fulmination
• obloquy
• blasphemy
• slur
• epithet
• reprimand
• profanity
• disparagement
• blackguardism
• vilification
• malediction
• imprecation
• belittlement
• rebuke
• expletive
• revilement
• tirade
• excoriation
• chastisement
• castigation
• polemic
• aspersion
• opprobrium
• reproof
• swearword
• execration
• diatribe
• harangue
• bad-mouthing
• put-down
• broadside

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• praise
• applause
• acclaim
• commendation
• compliments
• congratulations
• endearments
• flattery
• adulation
• felicitations
• soft soap
• overpraise
• blarney

2

as in misuse

incorrect or improper use

naturally the furniture had received a lot of abuse from the 10 kids in the family

Synonyms & Similar Words

• misuse
• misapplication
• perversion
• wrecking
• misusage
• destruction
• mismanagement
• misemployment
• misutilization
• mistreatment
• maltreatment
• mishandling
• spoiling
• corruption
• ill-treatment
• damage
• prostitution
• desecration
• ill-usage
• debasement
• ruin
• mismanaging
• profanation

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• use
• application
• employment
• utilization

abuse

2 of 2

verb

ə-ˈbyüz 

1

as in to bully

to inflict physical or emotional harm upon

if you abuse your pet, he will always have an ugly disposition

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bully
• torture
• misuse
• oppress
• mistreat
• violate
• injure
• hurt
• persecute
• maltreat
• brutalize
• take apart
• manhandle
• ill-use
• mishandle
• ill-treat
• harass
• torment
• outrage
• mess over
• harm
• molest
• kick around
• wrong
• victimize
• work (over)
• beat (up)
• rough (up)
• sandbag
• burn
• mess (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• care (for)
• foster
• nurture
• cherish
• baby
• favor
• indulge
• cater (to)
• spoil
• gratify
• humor
• coddle
• pamper
• mollycoddle

2

as in to attack

to criticize harshly and usually publicly

a demanding, difficult patient who constantly abuses the nurses and aides

Synonyms & Similar Words

• attack
• insult
• scold
• slam
• savage
• criticize
• blast
• jump (on)
• harass
• curse
• tie into
• assail
• vituperate
• excoriate
• lambast
• trash
• sail into
• bash
• scathe
• castigate
• lambaste
• belabor
• revile
• beat up on
• potshot
• reprimand
• affront
• berate
• light into
• harangue
• slander
• libel
• blaspheme
• harry
• disparage
• slur
• profane
• belittle
• whip
• vilify
• execrate
• asperse
• blackguard
• chastise
• lash (out)
• imprecate
• rebuke
• lace (into)
• chide
• put down
• bad-mouth
• traduce
• fulminate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• praise
• commend
• hail
• compliment
• laud
• acclaim

3

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• misuse
• pervert
• prostitute
• misapply
• corrupt
• profane
• degrade
• misemploy
• twist
• mismanage
• desecrate
• debase

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• use
• apply
• employ
• utilize
• respect

4

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

• use
• exploit
• leverage
• manipulate
• pimp
• play (on or upon)
• impose (on or upon)
• trade on
• walk on
• cash in (on)
• capitalize (on)
• milk
• cheat
• work
• mistreat
• jerk around
• overcharge
• skin
• bleed
• fleece
• soak
• stick
• commercialize
• commodify

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of abuse

Noun

Following that, Judge Subramanian denied a defense motion to throw out some of the counts in the indictment, but in a win for Combs’ lawyers barred testimony from two prosecution witnesses who were poised to discuss alleged abuse by Combs that occurred two decades ago. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 18 Apr. 2025

Behind her glamorous exterior, the real Dorothy was a closeted lesbian who struggled with substance abuse and was mistreated by the men within Hollywood’s studio system before ultimately committing suicide. —Abby Monteil, Them., 17 Apr. 2025

Verb

Some were held at gunpoint and were physically abused or detained for resisting, according to Verstka, an independent Russian news outlet. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Apr. 2025

Prominent entertainment figures from Asia Argento to Rose McGowan to Ashley Judd have accused him of abusing his power and influence. —Ilya Marritz, NPR, 15 Apr. 2025