ENGLISH
REFERENCE

abused

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //əbˈjuzd// UK //ɐbjˈuːsd// abused Archaic

v. to treat someone or something in a cruel, violent, or unfair way. It also means to use something like power or a drug in a way that is harmful or wrong.

v. to treat a person or animal with cruelty or violence, especially regularly or repeatedly. Also used to describe the improper or excessive use of substances or the misuse of authority for personal gain.


SIMPLE

He abused his power to get what he wanted.

CONTEXTUAL

The investigation revealed that several high-ranking officials had systematically abused their positions to secure private contracts.

COMPLEX

While the term is often associated with physical harm, it equally applies to psychological manipulation where one party is consistently abused through verbal degradation and isolation.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and requires a direct object.

Pitfall

he abused from his powerhe abused his powerAbuse is a transitive verb and does not take the preposition 'from' or 'of' before the object.

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