· treat badly; "This boss abuses his workers"; "She is always stepping on others to get ahead"

Synonym(s): mistreat, maltreat, ill-use, step, ill-treat

Hypernym(s): treat, handle, do_by

· change the inherent purpose or function of something; "Don't abuse the system"; "The director of the factory misused the funds intended for the health care of his workers"

Synonym(s): pervert, misuse

Hypernym(s): use, expend

· use foul or abusive language towards; "The actress abused the policeman who gave her a parking ticket"; "The angry mother shouted at the teacher"

Synonym(s): clapperclaw, blackguard, shout

Hypernym(s): attack, round, assail, lash_out, snipe, assault

· use wrongly or improperly or excessively; "Her husband often abuses alcohol"; "while she was pregnant, she abused drugs"

Hypernym(s): use, expend

· used improperly or excessively especially drugs; "an abused substance"

· subjected to cruel treatment; "an abused wife"

Synonym(s): ill-treated, maltreated, mistreated

Antonym(s): unabused