abusing
abusing — verb
- abusingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- abusings3rd person singular
- abusinging-ing form
- abusingedpast simple
1. to use something such as a substance, power, or position in a wrong, harmful, or
to use something such as a substance, power, or position in a wrong, harmful, or excessive way that goes against its intended purpose.
Hyun started abusing prescription painkillers after his back injury last winter.
abusing + substance (prescription painkillers)
The energy company was fined for abusing its dominant position in the market.
No one should abuse the trust that their closest friends place in them.
Faisal lost his job after his boss caught him abusing company funds for personal trips.
When leaders abuse their authority, ordinary citizens are the ones who suffer most.
- respect
when the object is rules, authority, or trust
文法句型
abuse + noun phrase (power/substance/trust)
用法筆記
Object is typically a substance (drugs, alcohol), a position of power (authority, trust), or a system (funds, privileges). This sense is often used in legal and news contexts.
常見錯誤
2. to treat a person or animal cruelly, violently, or unfairly, especially in a rep
to treat a person or animal cruelly, violently, or unfairly, especially in a repeated or ongoing way that causes physical or emotional harm.
The court sentenced the nanny for abusing an elderly woman in her care.
passive: was abused; collocation: abuse + person in one's care
Neighbors reported the couple after a witness saw them abusing their dog in the yard.
No child should ever be abused by the adults who are supposed to protect them.
Jessica volunteers at a shelter that helps people who have been abused by their partners.
The documentary showed how migrant workers were being abused on the large farms.
文法句型
abuse + person/animal (direct object)
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive voice because the focus is on the victim. The object is always a sentient being (person or animal). This sense covers physical violence, emotional cruelty, and sexual abuse.
常見錯誤
3. to direct angry, insulting, or offensive remarks at a person, using harsh or fou
to direct angry, insulting, or offensive remarks at a person, using harsh or foul language.
The football coach was suspended for abusing the referee during the match.
abusing + person (in authority role)
Feng stayed calm and walked away instead of abusing the customer who shouted at him.
Online trolls regularly abuse public figures without facing any consequences.
Kemi could not forget how her manager abused her in front of the whole team.
文法句型
abuse + person with words
用法筆記
Less common than the noun form (verbal abuse). This verb sense is often used in contexts of shouting, swearing, or public humiliation. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense involves only words, not physical action.
常見錯誤
abusing — noun
1. the act of using something such as a substance, power, or system in a wrong, har
the act of using something such as a substance, power, or system in a wrong, harmful, or excessive way that goes beyond its intended purpose.
Drug abuse can destroy a person's health, finances, and close relationships.
collocation: drug abuse
The mayor was investigated for abuse of public funds during her term.
Alcohol abuse among teenagers has been rising in many parts of the world.
New policies were introduced to prevent the abuse of overtime pay in the company.
The abuse of emergency hotlines by prank callers delays help for real victims.
- misuse
can be accidental or less severe; 'abuse' implies wrongdoing or harm
- overuse
focuses on quantity/excess rather than wrong purpose
- exploitation
implies taking selfish advantage, often of a system or resource
文法句型
abuse of + noun (power/substance/trust/position)
用法筆記
Typically uncountable. When describing a specific kind, use 'an abuse of + noun' (e.g., 'an abuse of power'). Common in news, legal, and health contexts.
常見錯誤
2. the deliberate infliction of harm — physical, emotional, or otherwise — on a per
the deliberate infliction of harm — physical, emotional, or otherwise — on a person or animal, especially as a repeated pattern of behaviour.
The charity provides a safe shelter for victims of domestic abuse.
collocation: domestic abuse
Anong works as a counselor helping children who have survived physical abuse.
The documentary exposed the widespread abuse of prisoners in the detention center.
Saira finally left her partner after years of emotional abuse and isolation.
New laws have been passed to protect the elderly from abuse in nursing homes.
- maltreatment
more formal; often used in medical or legal reports
- mistreatment
slightly milder; 'abuse' implies greater severity
- cruelty
focuses on the intention to cause pain
文法句型
physical/emotional/sexual abuse; abuse of + person/group
用法筆記
Often preceded by a type label (child abuse, domestic abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse). In legal and medical writing, 'abuse' refers to a pattern of behavior, not a single incident.
常見錯誤
3. rude, offensive, or insulting words directed at someone, often shouted or said a
rude, offensive, or insulting words directed at someone, often shouted or said angrily.
The referee put up with a lot of verbal abuse from the angry fans.
collocation: verbal abuse
João reported his neighbor for shouting abuse over the garden fence every evening.
pattern: shout abuse at someone
Teachers should never have to tolerate verbal abuse from students or parents.
The politician faced a stream of abuse during the heated town hall meeting.
- insults
more general, can be mild; 'abuse' implies stronger, angrier language
- verbal attacks
describes the event rather than the words themselves
- revilement
formal and very strong; uncommon in everyday speech
文法句型
shout/hurl/scream abuse (at someone)
用法筆記
Often described with verbs like 'shout', 'hurl', 'scream', 'face'. Frequently modified by 'verbal' to distinguish from physical abuse. Uncountable — you cannot say 'an abuse' in this sense.