abuse

Elementary

/əˈbjuːz/

noun
the use of something in a way that is harmful or morally wrong

abuse in a sentence

  • “She screamed abuse at him.”
  • “The investigation revealed abuses of power committed by the governor's office.”
  • “The actress disclosed that she was seeking treatment for alcohol abuse.”
  • “Chronic drug abuse can lead to gradual brain damage.”

What does “abuse” mean?

abuse (noun) means the use of something in a way that is harmful or morally wrong. It is pronounced /əˈbjuːz/. Vocaby pairs the definition with audio and real example sentences so the word is easy to remember — and brings it back for review right before you'd forget it.

Frequently asked questions

What does "abuse" mean?
abuse (noun) means: the use of something in a way that is harmful or morally wrong
How do you pronounce "abuse"?
"abuse" is pronounced /əˈbjuːz/ in IPA. You can tap to hear it spoken aloud in the Vocaby app.
How do you use "abuse" in a sentence?
Here is "abuse" used in a sentence: She screamed abuse at him.

Learn abuse and 29,000+ more words with Vocaby.

Pronunciation, examples, and spaced repetition that makes every word stick.

Related words

Browse the full word library