abuse

Noun

• (n.) maltreatment, ill-treatment, ill-usage, abuse (cruel or inhumane treatment) "the child showed signs of physical abuse"
• (n.) abuse, insult, revilement, contumely, vilification (a rude expression intended to offend or hurt) "when a student made a stupid mistake he spared them no abuse"; "they yelled insults at the visiting team"
• (n.) misuse, abuse (improper or excessive use) "alcohol abuse"; "the abuse of public funds"

Verb

• (v.) mistreat, maltreat, abuse, ill-use, step, ill-treat (treat badly) "This boss abuses his workers"; "She is always stepping on others to get ahead"
• (v.) pervert, misuse, abuse (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"
• (v.) abuse, clapperclaw, blackguard, shout (use foul or abusive language towards) "The actress abused the policeman who gave her a parking ticket"; "The angry mother shouted at the teacher"
• (v.) abuse (use wrongly or improperly or excessively) "Her husband often abuses alcohol"; "while she was pregnant, she abused drugs"