abuse
gb/əbjˈus/ us/əbjˈus/
B1
Inglês
~ 2500
Acepções
0 acepção
Substantivo
B1
action
1
Cruel or violent treatment
Hurting someone in a cruel or violent way, often many times.
Padrão de uso:
[someone] suffers abuse
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes confuse 'abuse' with 'use'. 'Abuse' always has a negative meaning involving harm or cruelty.
Sinônimos
mistreatment (A more neutral and general term for poor treatment, without the strong emotional connotation of 'abuse'.)
Antônimos
care (Implies providing protection and kindness, the opposite of abusive treatment.)
Colocações
child abuse
|domestic abuse
|verbal abuse
|physical abuse
|suffer abuse
Temas
crime
|emotions
|society
|health
|relationships
|law
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos para estudantes
- 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.
Padrão de uso:
to abuse [someone/something]
Erro comum:
Learners may confuse 'abuse' with 'use'. 'Abuse' means to use in a harmful or wrong way.
Sinônimos
mistreat (A softer term that lacks the legal and moral weight that 'abuse' often carries.)
Antônimos
protect (To keep someone safe from harm, the opposite of abuse.)
Colocações
abuse power
|abuse a child
|abuse animals
|abuse trust
Temas
crime
|emotions
|society
|health
|relationships
|law
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos para estudantes
- 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.
Substantivo
B2
action
3
Rude or insulting language
Bad or hurtful words spoken to someone.
Padrão de uso:
[someone] shouts abuse at [someone]
Erro comum:
Learners may think 'abuse' here means physical harm, but it refers only to language in this sense.
Sinônimos
insults (Focuses on specific offensive words rather than prolonged verbal attack.)
Antônimos
praise (Words expressing approval or admiration, opposite of insulting language.)
Colocações
shout abuse
|hurl abuse
|receive abuse
Temas
emotions
|communication
|relationships
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos para estudantes
- 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.
Padrão de uso:
to abuse [something]
Erro comum:
Learners may confuse this with normal use. 'Abuse' means wrong or harmful use, not just any use.
Sinônimos
misuse (A more neutral word; does not always imply moral wrongdoing.)
Antônimos
respect (To use something properly and with care.)
Colocações
abuse power
|abuse alcohol
|abuse drugs
Temas
ethics
|society
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos para estudantes
- 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.
Gramática
Forma no dicionário
abuse
AFI
GB/əbjˈus/
US/əbjˈus/
Sílabas e tonicidade
ab - use (2 sílabas)
Stress on 2nd syllable (use)
Formas da palavra
Noun
- Base: abuse
- Plural: abuse, abuses
Verb
- Base: abuse
- 3rd Person Singular: abuses
- Present Participle: abusing
- Past: abused
Família de palavras
Expressões
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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.