Definition of "abuse" [a•buse]

• To use wrongly or improperly; misuse: abuse alcohol; abuse a privilege. (verb-transitive)
• To hurt or injure by maltreatment; ill-use. (verb-transitive)
• To force sexual activity on; rape or molest. (verb-transitive)
• To assail with contemptuous, coarse, or insulting words; revile. (verb-transitive)
• Obsolete To deceive or trick. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "This jackass didn't do this out of the blue like many abusers who are moderate then get extreme; this level of abuse ** was the pattern of abuse** for this poor girl."
• "_truth_ abuse them? does the _exposition_ of the _foulest combination_ that ever disgraced this or any other county, _constitute abuse_?"
• "To the previous facts you are a witness, and best know how far my recapitulation is correct; and I request that you will inform Mr. Perry from me, that I wonder he should permit such an abuse of my name in his paper; I say an _abuse_, because my absence, at least, demands some respect, and my presence and positive sanction could alone justify him in such a proceeding, even were the lines mine; and if false, there are no words for him."