ABUSE Synonyms: 209 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'abuse' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of abuse are billingsgate , invective , obloquy , and vituperation . While all these words mean "vehemently expressed condemnation or disapproval," abuse , the most general term, usually implies the anger of the speaker and stresses the harshness of the language. // scathing verbal abuse

Q: When might 'billingsgate' be a better fit than 'abuse'?

While in some cases nearly identical to abuse , billingsgate implies practiced fluency and variety of profane or obscene abuse. // directed a stream of billingsgate at the cabdriver

Q: When would 'invective' be a good substitute for 'abuse'?

In some situations, the words invective and abuse are roughly equivalent. However, invective implies a comparable vehemence but suggests greater verbal and rhetorical skill and may apply to a public denunciation. // blistering political invective

Q: When is 'obloquy' a more appropriate choice than 'abuse'?

While the synonyms obloquy and abuse are close in meaning, obloquy suggests defamation and consequent shame and disgrace. // subjected to obloquy and derision

Q: Where would 'vituperation' be a reasonable alternative to 'abuse'?

The words vituperation and abuse can be used in similar contexts, but vituperation implies fluent and sustained abuse. // a torrent of vituperation

abuse 1 of 2

noun

ə-ˈbyüs

Definition of abuse

as in insult

harsh insulting language hometown fans hurled abuse at the visiting team

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in misuse

incorrect or improper use naturally the furniture had received a lot of abuse from the 10 kids in the family

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

abuse

2 of 2

verb

ə-ˈbyüz

as in to bully

to inflict physical or emotional harm upon if you abuse your pet, he will always have an ugly disposition

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to attack

to criticize harshly and usually publicly a demanding, difficult patient who constantly abuses the nurses and aides

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to misuse

to put to a bad or improper use if you abuse your baseball bat by using it to hammer nails, don't expect it to last long

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to use

to take unfair advantage of abused his parents' trust, pilfering small amounts from them that he hoped they wouldn't notice

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word abuse distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of abuse are billingsgate, invective, obloquy, and vituperation. While all these words mean "vehemently expressed condemnation or disapproval," abuse, the most general term, usually implies the anger of the speaker and stresses the harshness of the language.

scathing verbal abuse

When might billingsgate be a better fit than abuse?

While in some cases nearly identical to abuse, billingsgate implies practiced fluency and variety of profane or obscene abuse.

directed a stream of billingsgate at the cabdriver

When would invective be a good substitute for abuse?

In some situations, the words invective and abuse are roughly equivalent. However, invective implies a comparable vehemence but suggests greater verbal and rhetorical skill and may apply to a public denunciation.

blistering political invective

When is obloquy a more appropriate choice than abuse?

While the synonyms obloquy and abuse are close in meaning, obloquy suggests defamation and consequent shame and disgrace.

subjected to obloquy and derision

Where would vituperation be a reasonable alternative to abuse?

The words vituperation and abuse can be used in similar contexts, but vituperation implies fluent and sustained abuse.

a torrent of vituperation

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of abuse

Noun

In a May interview on The Pivot Podcast, Davis blamed his opioid abuse for wrecking his home life. — Joshua Goodman, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026 If the newborn shows signs of abuse or neglect, however, anonymity may not be honored. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Verb

The lawsuit, organized by the attorneys general of 29 US states, alleged that Meta executives like Mark Zuckerberg created a system that abused data collected from minors, while feigning ignorance about the harms their platforms caused. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 27 Aug. 2026 An accuser known as Victim 10, who testified for the prosecution at Sandusky's trial, is now prepared to tell the court Sandusky did not abuse him. — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for abuse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abuse

Noun

He was subsequently dismissed by Dior and, months later, found guilty by a French court of making public insults based on origin, religion, race, or ethnicity.

— Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 31 Aug. 2026
The arrest came after Kelley Wolf had reportedly made a series of hostile social media posts, which featured insults and allegations against various friends and family, including her ex-husband, Wolf.

— Edward Segarra, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of insult

Noun

Thirteen days before Morissette’s lawsuit, Urinov filed her own claim against the singer in London’s King Bench Division, which handles cases of defamation, misuse of private information, data protection, and harassment by publication.

— Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026
Flock Safety announced some changes to its policies in mid-August after reports of misuse, including requiring officers to enter specific codes.

— Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of misuse

Verb

In Iran, Afghans have been attacked by mobs and baselessly accused of collaborating with Israel; some legal residents have had police tear up their documents in front of them.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 31 Aug. 2026
On Saturday, an Ebola response team was attacked on the outskirts of the town of Mambasa in Ituri province while responding to a call to secure a body.

— Constant Same Bagalwa, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of attack

Verb

Operators can also continue using diesel when hydrogen supplies are unavailable.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
Razorbill brings that experience to one of the industry's most recognizable blade profiles, using extensive CNC machining to make geometry itself part of both the product's performance and its appearance.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of use

Noun

But the lobbyist has doubled down on her criticism of McCuskey in a recent letter to Illinois’ four top legislative leaders and obtained by the Tribune.

— Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
The sharpest criticism of the deal came from Venezuelan opposition figures, who argue that a caretaker administration installed after a foreign military operation has no standing to sign away a century of oil rights.

— Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of criticism

Verb

The former beauty queen’s family claim that she was tortured by the suspects over dowry demands, reported the BBC.

— Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026
After 33 years spent in Italy, Mariano Guerra, an Italian doctor, returns to Argentina to testify at the trial against the former military officers who abducted, tortured and enslaved him during the military dictatorship.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of torture

Verb

Kenzie Annis clam-slammed her way into Love Island fans’ hearts during season eight of the reality dating show and would love the chance to do it again on Dancing With the Stars.

— Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 31 Aug. 2026
In April, the Biennale art exhibition — run by the Venice Biennale Foundation, which also runs the film festival — was slammed for allowing Russia and Israel to mount shows in their pavilions.

— Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of slam

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abundantly

abuse

abused

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“Abuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abuse. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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