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

Example 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

The allegations didn’t meet DCF’s standards for abuse, but there wasn’t another agency designated to ensure that the center was following regulations that would limit use of food or humiliation tactics as discipline. —

Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2025 The funds allocated to the county’s state’s attorney must be used for cannabis and drug law enforcement, public education on drug or alcohol abuse and grants to local treatment centers, according to Illinois’ Drug Asset Forfeiture Procedure Act. —

Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025

Verb

No boys abused: Defense Defense attorney Jean-Pierre Gilbert argued that Geilenfeld abused no boys at St. Joseph’s, saying that the six minor victims named in the indictment were recruited and paid off with money and the opportunity of asylum in the United States. —

Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2025 In fact, people called the inquiry hotline to accuse 24 staff and faculty of either abusing or having romantic relationships with students, according to an unpublished commission document the News & Observer and the Charlotte Observer obtained. —

Sara Coello, Charlotte Observer, 3 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for abuse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abuse

Noun

Read the full Pisces Daily Horoscope Aries (March 21 - April 19) Feeling the sting of a pointed insult?

— USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2025
Its leaders must stand strong in a climate reshaped by DeSantis and his torrent of insults and verbal abuse.

— Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2025