abuse
/əˈbjuːz/ (bre, ipa) · /əˈbjuːz/ (ame, ipa) · /ə-ˈbyüs/ (ame, mw) · /əˈbjuːs/ (bre, ipa) · /əˈbjuːs/ (ame, ipa)
abuse — 動詞
1. to use something such as power, money, medicine, or information in an unfair, da
濫用
把權力或藥物用錯並造成傷害
to use something such as power, money, medicine, or information in an unfair, dangerous, or dishonest way
The coach abused his power by cutting players who questioned him.
那名教練濫用權力，把質疑他的球員刷掉。
abuse + power
Rina abused the pain pills and soon stopped sleeping well.
Rina 濫用止痛藥，沒多久就睡不好了。
abuse + medicine/drugs
The company abused staff members' private data for extra sales.
那家公司濫用員工的私人資料來多賺業績。
The senator was accused of abusing public money during the trip.
那位參議員被指控在那次行程中濫用公款。
The mayor abused an emergency law to block the local newspaper.
那位市長濫用緊急法令，封住了當地報紙的聲音。
- misuse
close in meaning; focuses on using something incorrectly or for the wrong purpose
- exploit
stresses taking unfair advantage, especially of people or a situation
- overuse
focuses on using too much, not necessarily dishonestly
- misapply
more formal; often used for rules, ideas, or money put to the wrong use
文法句型
abuse something
abuse power/money/drugs
用法筆記
The object in this sense is usually a thing, right, position, or substance, not a person. Common objects include power, authority, alcohol, drugs, data, and public money.
常見錯誤
2. to harm a person or animal by treating them in a cruel, violent, or controlling
虐待
以暴力、威脅等方式傷害人
to harm a person or animal by treating them in a cruel, violent, or controlling way
The stepfather abused the boy for years behind the locked door.
那名繼父多年來都在上鎖的房門後虐待那個男孩。
abuse + person
The owner abused the dogs, so police removed them that night.
那名主人對那些狗施虐，所以警方當晚就把牠們帶走。
abuse + animal
Her ex-husband abused her with threats as well as fists.
她前夫不只動手，還用威脅的方式虐待她。
Two sisters were abused by their uncle in the flat above the shop.
兩姊妹在店鋪樓上的公寓裡遭叔叔虐待。
The coach abused young athletes emotionally until parents complained.
那名教練長期在情感上虐待年輕選手，直到家長出面抱怨。
文法句型
abuse someone
abuse an animal
用法筆記
Usually takes a human or animal object and often appears with words like 'physically', 'sexually', or 'emotionally'. Distinguish from sense 3: this sense covers wider cruel treatment, not only insulting speech.
常見錯誤
3. to say very rude and angry things directly to someone
辱罵
用惡毒或冒犯的話罵人
to say very rude and angry things directly to someone
A man on the bus abused the driver after missing his stop.
公車上一名男子因為坐過站而辱罵司機。
abuse + person in anger
Fans abused the referee online after the final match.
球迷在決賽後上網辱罵那位裁判。
abuse someone online
Mei was abused on the bus after asking a stranger to lower his music.
Mei 在公車上叫陌生人把音樂轉小聲後，遭到辱罵。
Outside the court, protesters abused reporters who asked simple questions.
法院外，抗議者辱罵那些只是在提簡單問題的記者。
The host abused his guest on live radio and lost sponsors.
那名主持人在直播節目上辱罵來賓，結果失去贊助。
文法句型
abuse someone
abuse someone online
用法筆記
This sense is about words alone and often appears with 'verbally' or 'online'. If the harm includes hitting, threats, or wider control, sense 2 is more accurate.
常見錯誤
abuse — 名詞
1. the unfair or harmful use of something such as power, medicine, or public money
濫用；亂用
對權力、藥物等的不當使用
the unfair or harmful use of something such as power, medicine, or public money
The report exposed years of abuse of public funds in the town office.
這份報告揭露了鎮公所多年來濫用公款的情況。
abuse of + public funds
Doctors warn that long-term abuse of sleeping pills can damage memory.
醫師警告，長期亂用安眠藥可能會傷害記憶力。
abuse of + medicine
New rules were meant to stop abuse of patient records at the clinic.
新規定是為了防止診所濫用病人的病歷資料。
Voters were angry about the minister's abuse of emergency powers.
選民對那位部長濫用緊急權力感到憤怒。
The inquiry found abuse of school rules to admit the mayor's nephew.
調查發現，有人濫用校規讓市長的外甥獲准入學。
- misuse
close in meaning; often the best simple substitute
- exploitation
stresses unfair advantage, especially of a system or resource
- overuse
focuses on excess rather than dishonesty
- misapplication
formal; common for money, law, or ideas used wrongly
- proper use
using something in the intended or fair way
- protection
keeping people or resources safe instead of harming them through use
文法句型
abuse of [power/money/drugs]
用法筆記
Very often appears in the pattern 'abuse of + noun', especially with power, authority, alcohol, drugs, and public money. Distinguish from noun sense 2: this sense is about the thing being misused, not mainly about the person being harmed.
常見錯誤
2. cruel treatment that hurts or controls a person through violence, fear, or repea
虐待
持續以暴力或控制傷害他人
cruel treatment that hurts or controls a person through violence, fear, or repeated pressure
The shelter gives free legal help to women escaping abuse.
那間庇護所為逃離虐待的女性提供免費法律協助。
escape abuse
Years of emotional abuse made Ken afraid to speak at home.
多年的情感虐待讓 Ken 在家裡連開口都害怕。
emotional abuse
The teacher reported signs of child abuse after seeing fresh bruises.
老師看到新的瘀青後，通報了疑似兒童虐待的跡象。
After the trial, the singer spoke publicly about the abuse she suffered.
審判結束後，那位歌手公開談起自己曾經遭受的虐待。
Inspectors found evidence of animal abuse on the small farm.
稽查員在那座小農場發現了動物虐待的證據。
- maltreatment
formal general word for cruel treatment
- mistreatment
close in meaning and slightly more everyday
- cruelty
focuses on deliberate unkindness
- violence
narrower; focuses on physical force rather than all forms of abuse
- protection
keeping someone safe from harm
- care
kind attention to another person's needs
文法句型
child abuse
abuse of [child/partner/animal]
suffer abuse
用法筆記
Usually uncountable in general statements, but specific types are often named with modifiers such as 'child', 'domestic', 'sexual', 'emotional', or 'animal'. Distinguish from noun sense 3: that sense is about insulting words, while this one covers broader harmful treatment.
常見錯誤
3. very offensive words aimed at another person, usually in anger
辱罵；惡言
針對他人的侮辱性言語
very offensive words aimed at another person, usually in anger
The player walked off after a fan shouted abuse from the stands.
聽到看台上一名球迷大聲辱罵後，那名球員就走下場了。
shout abuse
Teachers on TikTok received racist abuse after the classroom video spread.
教室影片傳開後，TikTok 上的老師們收到了帶有種族歧視的辱罵。
receive abuse
Before the encore, the guard warned fans that more abuse would stop the show.
安可前，警衛警告歌迷，再有辱罵，演出就會停掉。
During the call, the customer hurled abuse at the young clerk.
通話時，那位顧客朝年輕店員丟出一連串辱罵。
Rosa quit the call center after months of abuse from late-night callers.
Rosa 受不了深夜來電者幾個月來的辱罵，辭掉了客服中心的工作。
- insults
the most general everyday word
- verbal attack
stresses direct hostile speech
- invective
formal; strong angry language
- slurs
specifically insulting words aimed at a group or identity
文法句型
shout abuse at [person]
hurl abuse at [person]
receive abuse
用法筆記
Usually uncountable and common after verbs like 'shout', 'hurl', and 'receive'. Distinguish from noun sense 2: this sense is about hostile words, not physical or controlling behaviour.