abuse

/əˈbjuːs/ noun

Definition

› [C or U] a situation in which a person uses something in a bad or wrong way, especially for their own advantage or pleasure: The former president has been accused of corruption and abuse of power. The politician employs his two sons to work in his office at taxpayers' expense, which critics say is an abuse of his position. The CEO was fined for market abuse after encouraging his friends to buy shares before the takeover was announced publicly. Employees are routinely tested for drug and alcohol abuse.

› [U] rude and offensive words said to another person: He claimed he had received verbal abuse from his co-workers.

(Definition of abuse noun from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Focus on the pronunciation of abuse