Abuse
/əˈbjuːs/
nounverbB2
Definition
Abuse is when a person or thing is treated in a harmful, cruel, or unfair way. It can mean hurting someone physically, emotionally, or using something wrongly (like drugs or power). Abuse can happen in many situations, like at home, work, or society.
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See It in Action
Harmful or cruel treatment (noun)
- •The child suffered abuse at home.
- •Animal abuse is a serious crime.
- •Emotional abuse can be hard to see but very damaging.
To treat badly or use wrongly (verb)
- •He abused his power to get what he wanted.
- •She was abused by her employer.
- •People should not abuse drugs or alcohol.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'abuse' like 'hurt,' but much stronger and often repeated or serious harm, not just a small accident
- ✓Picture someone being shouted at or hit, or a pet being neglected and sad
- ✓It's the feeling of fear, pain, or sadness when someone is treated badly on purpose
- ✓Sounds like 'a-BUSE' → imagine someone using something badly, like 'using' but with a bad meaning
- ✓Think of stories or movies where a character is treated unfairly or cruelly and needs help
- ✓NOT like 'mistake' (accidental); abuse is done on purpose and often many times
- ✓NOT like 'punish' (a fair consequence); abuse is unfair and harmful, not a fair action
- ✓NOT like 'use' (normal use); abuse means wrong or harmful use of something or someone
Try Other Words
- •Mistreat: to treat someone badly or unfairly (Use when you want to say someone is treated badly but not necessarily with strong harm)
- •Harm: to cause physical or emotional damage (Use when focusing on the damage caused, but not always on unfairness or repeated behavior)
- •Exploit: to use someone or something unfairly for your own advantage (Use when abuse involves using power or people selfishly)
- •Bully: to hurt or frighten someone weaker (Use when abuse includes threats or repeated mean behavior)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "a-" (to, towards) + root "buse" (from Latin "abūsus," meaning misuse or wrongful use)
- •Etymology: From Latin "abūsus," past participle of "abūtor" meaning to misuse or take wrongly
- •Historical development: Entered English in the 15th century meaning wrongful use or cruel treatment
- •Modern usage: Used broadly to describe many kinds of bad treatment, from physical and emotional harm to misuse of power or substances
- •Key insight: The word focuses on unfair, harmful, or wrongful use or treatment, not just any use or action
Reflect & Connect
•How can we recognize abuse when it is not physical but emotional or hidden?
•Why do you think people sometimes abuse power or trust, and how can society prevent it?
Fill in the blanks
1.The manager was fired because he abused his ___ to make unfair decisions.
2.Emotional abuse often causes ___ that are hard to see but last a long time.
3.Unlike a mistake, abuse is done ___ and causes serious harm.
4.People who abuse drugs usually ___ control over their life and health.
5.The law protects children from physical and emotional ___ at home or school.
6.When someone is abused, they may feel ___ and afraid to ask for help.
7.Abusing power means using it for ___, not for the good of others.