abuse
verb[T]
uk/əˈbjuːz/us/əˈbjuːz/abuseverb[T](USE WRONGLY)
to use something for thewrongpurposein a way that isharmfulormorallywrong:
（尤指为个人私利而）滥用；妄用She iscontinuallyabusing herposition/authorityby getting otherpeopleto do things for her.她不断滥用职权／权力，让别人替她做事。
I neverexpectedthat he would abuse thetrustIplacedin him.我从未料到他会利用我对他的信任。
to abusealcohol酗酒
- If you abuseyourbodynow, you'llpaythepricewhen you'reolder.
- The Mayor and hiscohortshave abusedtheirpositionsofpower.
- In alandmarkcase/decision, theGovernorpardoneda womanconvictedofkillingherhusband, who hadphysicallyabused her.
- People who have been abused aschildrenoftenexperiencefeelings/asenseofworthlessness.
- Theministerwassackedfor abusingpowerfor hispersonalgain.
Treating people or animals badly
- abuser
- anti-harassment
- at the hands ofsomeoneidiom
- batten
- batten onsomeone
- ill-treat
- ill-treatment
- ill-used
- impose
- inflict
- pick onsomeone
- prey
- prey onsomething
- putsomeonethroughsomething
- put upon
- tyrannical
- tyrannize
- tyranny
- uncared for
- use
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Using and misusing
abuseverb[T](TREAT CRUELLY)
totreatsomeonecruellyorviolently:
虐待；伤害Several of thechildrenhad beensexually/physically/emotionallyabused.这些儿童中有数名受到了性虐待／肉体折磨／精神上的伤害。
Treating people or animals badly
- abuser
- anti-harassment
- at the hands ofsomeoneidiom
- batten
- batten onsomeone
- ill-treat
- ill-treatment
- ill-used
- impose
- inflict
- pick onsomeone
- prey
- prey onsomething
- putsomeonethroughsomething
- put upon
- tyrannical
- tyrannize
- tyranny
- uncared for
- use
abuseverb[T](SPEAK RUDELY)
tospeakto someonerudelyorcruelly:
辱骂；毁谤Thecrowdstartedabusing him after hefailedtosaveagoal.他没有守住球门，丢了一分，观众开始对他破口大骂。
Insults & abuse
- abusive
- backhanded compliment
- belittle
- brickbat
- contumely
- cut (someone) to the quickidiom
- denigration
- dis
- disparagement
- jeer
- left-handed compliment
- mouth
- name
- neg
- negging
- point-scoring
- putsomething/someonedown
- revile
- slight
- stick
abuse
noun
uk/əˈbjuːs/us/əˈbjuːs/abusenoun(WRONG USE)
B2[CorU]
the use of something in a way that isharmfulormorallywrong:
（尤指出于个人私利的）滥用；妄用an abuse(=wronguse)ofprivilege/power/someone'skindness滥用特权／滥用权力／利用某人的善良
Drugandalcoholabuse(= using thesesubstancesin abadway)contributedto his earlydeath.嗜毒和酗酒导致了他的早逝。
- Thegovernmentsay they aretryingto do more toeducatethepublicabout theconsequencesofdrugabuse.
- Afteryearsof abuse from herhusband, sheeventuallyfoundthecouragetoleavehim.
- Judge Hawthorne waschosentoheadtheteaminvestigatingtheallegationsof abuse.
- There are fewcrimesmoretrulyshockingthan themurderor abuse ofchildren.
- Thefamilysaid they hadenduredyearsoftormentand abuse at thehandsof theneighbours.
Treating people or animals badly
- abuser
- anti-harassment
- at the hands ofsomeoneidiom
- batten
- batten onsomeone
- ill-treat
- ill-treatment
- ill-used
- impose
- inflict
- pick onsomeone
- prey
- prey onsomething
- putsomeonethroughsomething
- put upon
- tyrannical
- tyrannize
- tyranny
- uncared for
- use
abusenoun(CRUEL BEHAVIOUR)
B2
cruel,violent, orunfairtreatmentof someone:
虐待；伤害Sheclaimedto have been avictimofchildabuse .她声称自己曾是虐待儿童罪行的受害者。
sexual/physical/mentalabuse(=badtreatment)性虐待／肉体折磨／精神上的伤害
Treating people or animals badly
- abuser
- anti-harassment
- at the hands ofsomeoneidiom
- batten
- batten onsomeone
- ill-treat
- ill-treatment
- ill-used
- impose
- inflict
- pick onsomeone
- prey
- prey onsomething
- putsomeonethroughsomething
- put upon
- tyrannical
- tyrannize
- tyranny
- uncared for
- use
abusenoun(RUDE SPEECH)
C2[U]
rudeandoffensivewords said to anotherperson:
辱骂；毁谤He hadapparentlyexperienceda lot ofverbalabuse from his co-workers.显然他经常遭到同事的辱骂。
Hehurled(astream/torrentof)abuse at her(= he said a lot ofrudeandoffensivethings to her).他对她（劈头盖脸）一通大骂。
"Idiot!" is atermof abuse(= aninsultingexpression).Idiot! 是一句带有侮辱性的话。
Insults & abuse
- abusive
- backhanded compliment
- belittle
- brickbat
- contumely
- cut (someone) to the quickidiom
- denigration
- dis
- disparagement
- jeer
- left-handed compliment
- mouth
- name
- neg
- negging
- point-scoring
- putsomething/someonedown
- revile
- slight
- stick