abuse
gb/əbjˈus/ us/əbjˈus/
B1
Inglese
~ 2500
Accezioni
0 accezioni
Sostantivo
B1
action
1
Cruel or violent treatment
Hurting someone in a cruel or violent way, often many times.
Schema d'uso:
[someone] suffers abuse
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes confuse 'abuse' with 'use'. 'Abuse' always has a negative meaning involving harm or cruelty.
Sinonimi
mistreatment (A more neutral and general term for poor treatment, without the strong emotional connotation of 'abuse'.)
Contrari
care (Implies providing protection and kindness, the opposite of abusive treatment.)
Collocazioni
child abuse
|domestic abuse
|verbal abuse
|physical abuse
|suffer abuse
Temi
crime
|emotions
|society
|health
|relationships
|law
Esempi
- The organization works to prevent child abuse.
- She reported years of domestic abuse to the police.
- Verbal abuse can cause serious emotional harm.
- He was arrested for animal abuse.
- The hotline offers help to victims of abuse.
Esempi per chi studia
- The child suffered abuse from his parents.
- She wants to stop the abuse in her home.
- The man went to jail for animal abuse.
- Verbal abuse can hurt feelings.
- They are working to end domestic abuse.
Verbo
B1
action
2
Treat cruelly or violently
To hurt someone or something badly and unfairly.
Schema d'uso:
to abuse [someone/something]
Errore comune:
Learners may confuse 'abuse' with 'use'. 'Abuse' means to use in a harmful or wrong way.
Sinonimi
mistreat (A softer term that lacks the legal and moral weight that 'abuse' often carries.)
Contrari
protect (To keep someone safe from harm, the opposite of abuse.)
Collocazioni
abuse power
|abuse a child
|abuse animals
|abuse trust
Temi
crime
|emotions
|society
|health
|relationships
|law
Esempi
- He abused his position to gain money illegally.
- She claimed her stepfather abused her for years.
- The coach was fired for abusing young players.
- They accused the company of abusing workers' rights.
- Some people abuse animals for entertainment.
Esempi per chi studia
- He abused the dog and made it cry.
- The teacher abused the student in class.
- They abused their workers by not paying them.
- The man abused his power in the office.
- She was abused by her boss.
Sostantivo
B2
action
3
Rude or insulting language
Bad or hurtful words spoken to someone.
Schema d'uso:
[someone] shouts abuse at [someone]
Errore comune:
Learners may think 'abuse' here means physical harm, but it refers only to language in this sense.
Sinonimi
insults (Focuses on specific offensive words rather than prolonged verbal attack.)
Contrari
praise (Words expressing approval or admiration, opposite of insulting language.)
Collocazioni
shout abuse
|hurl abuse
|receive abuse
Temi
emotions
|communication
|relationships
Esempi
- Fans shouted abuse at the referee.
- He hurled abuse at the driver who cut him off.
- Online abuse can be very damaging.
- She ignored the stream of abuse from her neighbor.
- The politician faced loud abuse during his speech.
Esempi per chi studia
- The man shouted abuse at the player.
- They gave me abuse when I walked in.
- She heard a lot of abuse online.
- He shouted abuse at his boss.
- People used abuse to hurt her feelings.
Verbo
B2
action
4
Use something wrongly or harmfully
To use something in a bad or wrong way that causes harm.
Schema d'uso:
to abuse [something]
Errore comune:
Learners may confuse this with normal use. 'Abuse' means wrong or harmful use, not just any use.
Sinonimi
misuse (A more neutral word; does not always imply moral wrongdoing.)
Contrari
respect (To use something properly and with care.)
Collocazioni
abuse power
|abuse alcohol
|abuse drugs
Temi
ethics
|society
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- He abused his power to get special favors.
- Some people abuse alcohol and damage their health.
- She was accused of abusing company resources.
- The judge warned him not to abuse the legal system.
- They abused the trust placed in them.
Esempi per chi studia
- He abuses alcohol every weekend.
- They abused the free service.
- She abused her position at work.
- He abuses drugs and is sick now.
- The man abused the rules for his own gain.
Grammatica
Forma base
abuse
IPA
GB/əbjˈus/
US/əbjˈus/
Sillabe e accento
ab - use (2 sillabe)
Stress on 2nd syllable (use)
Forme flesse
Noun
- Base: abuse
- Plural: abuse, abuses
Verb
- Base: abuse
- 3rd Person Singular: abuses
- Present Participle: abusing
- Past: abused
Famiglia di parole
Espressioni
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.
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi
- 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.