abuse
gb/əbjˈus/ us/əbjˈus/
B1
English
~ 2500
bántalmazás, bántalmaz, sértegetés, verbális bántalmazás, visszaél, helytelenül használ, túlzott mértékben fogyaszt
NOUN
B1
1
bántalmazás
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] suffers abuse
The organization works to prevent child abuse.
A szervezet a gyermekbántalmazás megelőzéséért dolgozik.
She reported years of domestic abuse to the police.
Bejelentette a rendőrségen, hogy éveken át családon belüli erőszak érte.
Verbal abuse can cause serious emotional harm.
He was arrested for animal abuse.
The hotline offers help to victims of abuse.
Learner examples
The child suffered abuse from his parents.
A gyermeket a szülei bántalmazták.
She wants to stop the abuse in her home.
Véget akar vetni az otthonában zajló bántalmazásnak.
The man went to jail for animal abuse.
Verbal abuse can hurt feelings.
They are working to end domestic abuse.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'abuse' with 'use'. 'Abuse' always has a negative meaning involving harm or cruelty.
Meaning
Cruel or violent treatment
Collocations
child abuse
|domestic abuse
|verbal abuse
|physical abuse
|suffer abuse
Synonyms
mistreatment (A more neutral and general term for poor treatment, without the strong emotional connotation of 'abuse'.)
Antonyms
care (Implies providing protection and kindness, the opposite of abusive treatment.)
Themes
crime
|emotions
|society
|health
|relationships
|law
Definition
Hurting someone in a cruel or violent way, often many times.
Cruel, violent, or harmful treatment of someone, especially regularly or repeatedly.
VERB
B1
2
bántalmaz
B2
Usage pattern:
to abuse [someone/something]
He abused his position to gain money illegally.
Visszaélt a beosztásával, hogy törvénytelenül pénzhez jusson.
She claimed her stepfather abused her for years.
Azt állította, hogy a mostohaapja éveken át bántalmazta.
The coach was fired for abusing young players.
They accused the company of abusing workers' rights.
Some people abuse animals for entertainment.
Learner examples
He abused the dog and made it cry.
Bántalmazta a kutyát, és az nyüszíteni kezdett.
The teacher abused the student in class.
A tanár bántalmazta a diákot az órán.
They abused their workers by not paying them.
The man abused his power in the office.
She was abused by her boss.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'abuse' with 'use'. 'Abuse' means to use in a harmful or wrong way.
Meaning
Treat cruelly or violently
Collocations
abuse power
|abuse a child
|abuse animals
|abuse trust
Synonyms
mistreat (A softer term that lacks the legal and moral weight that 'abuse' often carries.)
Antonyms
protect (To keep someone safe from harm, the opposite of abuse.)
Themes
crime
|emotions
|society
|health
|relationships
|law
Definition
To hurt someone or something badly and unfairly.
To treat someone or something with cruelty, violence, or harm, often repeatedly.
NOUN
B2
3
Usage pattern:
[someone] shouts abuse at [someone]
Fans shouted abuse at the referee.
A szurkolók szidalmakat kiabáltak a játékvezetőnek.
He hurled abuse at the driver who cut him off.
Szidalmakat zúdított a sofőrre, aki bevágott elé.
Online abuse can be very damaging.
She ignored the stream of abuse from her neighbor.
The politician faced loud abuse during his speech.
Learner examples
The man shouted abuse at the player.
A férfi szidalmakat kiabált a játékosnak.
They gave me abuse when I walked in.
Sértegetni kezdtek, amikor beléptem.
She heard a lot of abuse online.
He shouted abuse at his boss.
People used abuse to hurt her feelings.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'abuse' here means physical harm, but it refers only to language in this sense.
Meaning
Rude or insulting language
Collocations
shout abuse
|hurl abuse
|receive abuse
Synonyms
insults (Focuses on specific offensive words rather than prolonged verbal attack.)
Antonyms
praise (Words expressing approval or admiration, opposite of insulting language.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|relationships
Definition
Bad or hurtful words spoken to someone.
Rude, offensive, or insulting words spoken to someone.
VERB
B2
4
Usage pattern:
to abuse [something]
He abused his power to get special favors.
Visszaélt a hatalmával, hogy kivételes előnyökhöz jusson.
Some people abuse alcohol and damage their health.
Vannak, akik káros mértékben fogyasztanak alkoholt, és ezzel ártanak az egészségüknek.
She was accused of abusing company resources.
The judge warned him not to abuse the legal system.
They abused the trust placed in them.
Learner examples
He abuses alcohol every weekend.
Minden hétvégén túl sok alkoholt fogyaszt.
They abused the free service.
Visszaéltek az ingyenes szolgáltatással.
She abused her position at work.
He abuses drugs and is sick now.
The man abused the rules for his own gain.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with normal use. 'Abuse' means wrong or harmful use, not just any use.
Meaning
Use something wrongly or harmfully
Collocations
abuse power
|abuse alcohol
|abuse drugs
Synonyms
misuse (A more neutral word; does not always imply moral wrongdoing.)
Antonyms
respect (To use something properly and with care.)
Themes
ethics
|society
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To use something in a bad or wrong way that causes harm.
To use something in a way that is harmful, excessive, or morally wrong.
Grammar
Dictionary form
abuse
IPA
GB/əbjˈus/
US/əbjˈus/
Syllables & stress
ab - use (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (use)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: abuse
- Plural: abuse, abuses
Verb
- Base: abuse
- 3rd Person Singular: abuses
- Present Participle: abusing
- Past: abused
Word family
Expressions
abuse of power
1/əbjˈus əv pˈaʊɚ/
fixed phrase
Wrong use of authority
When someone with authority uses it in a bad or unfair way.
Examples
- The dictator was accused of gross abuse of power.
- Abuse of power can destroy public trust.
hurl abuse at
1/hˈɚl əbjˈus ˈæt/
fixed phrase
Throw insults forcefully at someone
To say very rude things to someone in an angry way.
Examples
- He hurled abuse at the driver after the accident.
- Crowds hurled abuse at the losing team.
shout abuse at
1/ʃˈaʊt əbjˈus ˈæt/
fixed phrase
Yell insults at someone
To yell rude or hurtful words at someone.
Examples
- The angry fan shouted abuse at the referee.
- Protesters shouted abuse at the police.
substance abuse
1/sˈʌbstəns əbjˈus/
fixed phrase
harmful use of drugs or alcohol
Using drugs or alcohol in a way that is harmful to health or life.
Examples
- Substance abuse can lead to serious health problems.
- The clinic treats people with substance abuse problems.
- The center helps people recover from substance abuse.
- Substance abuse can lead to serious health issues.