abuse
gb/əbjˈus/ us/əbjˈus/
B1
Kiingereza
~ 2500
Maana
maana 0
Nomino
B1
action
1
Cruel or violent treatment
Hurting someone in a cruel or violent way, often many times.
Muundo wa matumizi:
[someone] suffers abuse
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners sometimes confuse 'abuse' with 'use'. 'Abuse' always has a negative meaning involving harm or cruelty.
Visawe
mistreatment (A more neutral and general term for poor treatment, without the strong emotional connotation of 'abuse'.)
Vinyume
care (Implies providing protection and kindness, the opposite of abusive treatment.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
child abuse
|domestic abuse
|verbal abuse
|physical abuse
|suffer abuse
Mada
crime
|emotions
|society
|health
|relationships
|law
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- 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.
Kitenzi
B1
action
2
Treat cruelly or violently
To hurt someone or something badly and unfairly.
Muundo wa matumizi:
to abuse [someone/something]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners may confuse 'abuse' with 'use'. 'Abuse' means to use in a harmful or wrong way.
Visawe
mistreat (A softer term that lacks the legal and moral weight that 'abuse' often carries.)
Vinyume
protect (To keep someone safe from harm, the opposite of abuse.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
abuse power
|abuse a child
|abuse animals
|abuse trust
Mada
crime
|emotions
|society
|health
|relationships
|law
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- 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.
Nomino
B2
action
3
Rude or insulting language
Bad or hurtful words spoken to someone.
Muundo wa matumizi:
[someone] shouts abuse at [someone]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners may think 'abuse' here means physical harm, but it refers only to language in this sense.
Visawe
insults (Focuses on specific offensive words rather than prolonged verbal attack.)
Vinyume
praise (Words expressing approval or admiration, opposite of insulting language.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
shout abuse
|hurl abuse
|receive abuse
Mada
emotions
|communication
|relationships
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- 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.
Kitenzi
B2
action
4
Use something wrongly or harmfully
To use something in a bad or wrong way that causes harm.
Muundo wa matumizi:
to abuse [something]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners may confuse this with normal use. 'Abuse' means wrong or harmful use, not just any use.
Visawe
misuse (A more neutral word; does not always imply moral wrongdoing.)
Vinyume
respect (To use something properly and with care.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
abuse power
|abuse alcohol
|abuse drugs
Mada
ethics
|society
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- 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.
Sarufi
Umbo la kamusi
abuse
IPA
GB/əbjˈus/
US/əbjˈus/
Silabi na mkazo
ab - use (silabi 2)
Stress on 2nd syllable (use)
Maumbo ya neno
Noun
- Base: abuse
- Plural: abuse, abuses
Verb
- Base: abuse
- 3rd Person Singular: abuses
- Present Participle: abusing
- Past: abused
Familia ya neno
Semi
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.
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano
- 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.