abuse

Everyday

1. Using something wrongly or too much, so it does harm: drug abuse, abuse of power. tree →
2. Cruel or violent treatment of a person or animal. tree →
3. Rude, insulting words: shouting abuse. tree →
4. (verb) To treat someone cruelly. tree →
5. (verb) To use something badly or unfairly. tree →
6. To abuse someone can also mean to insult them with rude words. tree →

In the lessons

In safety lessons, pupils learn that abuse of a child is never their fault and that they should tell a trusted adult or call a helpline. In news and social studies: abuse of power, animal abuse. In sport, players can be punished for verbal abuse. Phrases: verbal abuse, abuse of power, report abuse.

Examples

• If anyone hurts you, it is abuse; tell a trusted adult. tree →
• The fans shouted abuse at the referee. tree →
• Animal abuse is a crime. tree →
• He abused his power as captain. tree →
• Don't abuse the trust your friends give you. tree →
• The website has a button to report abuse. tree →
• The Lion abused him as a traitor. tree →

Note

The noun ends in an s sound (a-BYOOSS); the verb ends in a z sound (a-BYOOZ). Adjective: abusive. If you feel unsafe, talk to a teacher, parent or a child helpline.

In Jewish tradition

In safety lessons, pupils learn that abuse of a child is never their fault and that they should tell a trusted adult or call a helpline. In news and social studies: abuse of power, animal abuse. In sport, players can be punished for verbal abuse. Phrases: verbal abuse, abuse of power, report abuse.

Examples

• Nevertheless, this work is expensive, so in order to keep providing this resource, we have taken steps to prevent abuse by commercial parties, including placing technical restrictions on automated querying. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →

Note

The noun ends in an s sound (a-BYOOSS); the verb ends in a z sound (a-BYOOZ). Adjective: abusive. If you feel unsafe, talk to a teacher, parent or a child helpline.