I. verb
1.
Synonyms: decry 2, belittle, depreciate, derogate, detract (from), discount, disparage, dispraise, minimize, write off
Antonyms: praise
2.
to put to a bad or improper use
abuse the prerogatives of office
Synonyms: misapply, misemploy, mishandle, misimprove, misuse, pervert, prostitute
Related Word: mar, spoil; corrupt, debase, desecrate, profane
Idioms: make ill use of
Contrasted words: esteem, honor, respect
3.
Synonyms: exploit 2, impose (on or upon), use
4.
to treat without compassion and usually in a hurtful manner
parents who abuse children
Synonyms: ill-treat, ill-use, maltreat, mistreat, misuse, outrage
Related Word: damage, harm, hurt, impair, injure; oppress, persecute, wrong; manhandle, mess (up)
Idioms: do one dirt, do violence to
Contrasted words: cherish, prize, treasure; esteem, revere, reverence, venerate
Antonyms: honor, respect
II. noun
vehemently and usually coarsely expressed condemnation or disapproval
had an unequaled vocabulary of abuse
Synonyms: billingsgate, contumely, invective, obloquy, scurrility, vituperation
Related Word: calumny, defamation, malignment, mud, vilification; cursing, profanity, swearing; berating, railing, rating, reviling
Contrasted words: acclaim, laudation, praise; applause, commendation, compliment
Antonyms: adulation