abuse

a|buse1 [ ə`bjus ] noun ***

1. ) count or uncount cruel, violent, or unfair treatment, especially of someone who does not have the power to prevent it:

The regime had been responsible for serious human rights abuses.

abuse of: Physical abuse and neglect of children is too common.

a ) forced sexual activity with someone who cannot prevent it:

Several female students have made allegations of abuse against him.

2. ) count or uncount the use of something in a bad, dishonest, or harmful way:

price-fixing agreements and other abuses by large corporations

abuse of power/privilege/position: This is clearly an abuse of executive power.

open to abuse (=capable of being abused): All polling methods are potentially open to abuse.

a ) uncount the use of alcohol or illegal drugs in a way that is harmful to your health:

alcohol/drug/substance abuse

3. ) uncount angry offensive comments:

shout/scream/hurl abuse: Blake was alleged to have hurled racist abuse at a student.

abuse

a|buse 2 [ ə`bjuz ] verb transitive **

1. ) to treat someone in a cruel or violent way:

Prisoners reported being regularly abused by their guards.

a ) to have sex with someone who is unable to refuse:

A high percentage of abusive parents were themselves abused as children.

2. ) to use something in a bad, dishonest, or harmful way:

They were accused of abusing their power to keep prices artificially high.

Those with access to private information must not abuse that trust.

a ) to use alcohol or illegal drugs in a way that is harmful to your health

3. ) to speak to someone in an angry, offensive way:

He was fined $10,000 for verbally abusing the umpire.

╾ a|bus|er noun count