1
general::
verb ADV. emotionally, mentally, physically, sexually, verbally All the children had been physically and emotionally abused., noun wrong/bad use of sth ADJ. alcohol, drug, solvent, substance (= drugs or solvents) VERB + ABUSE be open to The legal system is open to abuse. PHRASES the abuse of power bad, usually violent treatment of sb ADJ. emotional, physical, sex/sexual | child, elder victims of child abuse | human rights ~s allegations of human rights abuses | alleged, suspected QUANT. case six cases of suspected child abuse VERB + ABUSE carry out, subject sb to She was subjected to regular sexual abuse. | suffer, take The child had taken a lot of emotional abuse. | suspect sb of ABUSE + VERB happen, occur, take place PHRASES an allegation of abuse, a perpetrator of abuse, a victim of abuse insulting words ADJ. verbal | personal, racial QUANT. stream, torrent He was subjected to a torrent of abuse. VERB + ABUSE hurl, scream, shout, shower sb with, subject sb to, yell | endure They had to endure continual racial abuse. PHRASES heap abuse on sb/sth Abuse and scorn were heaped on the proposals. | a target for/of abuse The team who lost became a target of abuse for angry fans. | a term of abuse Calling someone stupid is definitely a term of abuse.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
2
general::
verb
to use wrongly or improperly; misused:
He abused his bicycle.
noun
improper use or handling; misuse:
The car showed abuse., verb
ill-treatment:
Do not abuse your wife.
noun
insults:
We won't listen to his abuse.
verb
misused:
She abused her freedom.
Simple Definitions