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abusethe improper use of something or the cruel and violent treatment of a person or animal

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: the improper use of something or the cruel and violent treatment of a person or animal

Pronunciation (IPA): /əˈbjuːs/

Korean meaning: 남용, 학대

Korean pronunciation: 어-뷰스 (강세: 뷰스)

Example Sentences

  • My cat thinks using my laptop keyboard as a bed is not abuse of office equipment.
  • The company was fined for environmental abuse.
  • Don't abuse the 'Reply All' button in emails - your coworkers will hate you!

abuse

NOUN

//əˈbjuːs//

the improper use of something or the cruel and violent treatment of a person or animal

abuse concept
💡 Concept

He never raised his hand — but the abuse left marks nobody could see.

abuse mnemonic english
🧠 Mnemonic

A BRUISE you cannot see — that is what abuse leaves behind. (A + BRUISE → Abuse leaves A BRUISE — sometimes visible, always real)

abuse rhyme
🎵 Rhyme

Abuse hides behind every excuse — until someone finally refuses.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/əˈbjuːs/
🇬🇧 UK/əˈbjuːs/

🌳Etymology

Prefixab--
Rootus-

Origin

From Latin 'abusus', the past participle of 'abuti', meaning 'to misuse' or 'to use wrongly'. The prefix 'ab-' means 'away from' and 'uti' means 'to use'.

🎵Rhyme

usenewschooserefuse
use
news
choose
refuse

🔗Collocations

child abuse
drug abuse
abuse of power
physical abuse
verbal abuse
sexually abuse
alcohol abuse

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My cat thinks using my laptop keyboard as a bed is not abuse of office equipment.

The company was fined for environmental abuse.

😄 Fun example

Don't abuse the 'Reply All' button in emails - your coworkers will hate you!

She reported the abuse to the authorities immediately.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

mistreatmisusemaltreatexploitharm

Antonyms

careprotectnurture

Related

violenceneglectcrueltyharassmentaddiction

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