🇬🇧 Abuse meaning: English Vocabulary Flash Card

To abuse something means to use it in a way that is wrong, harmful, or unfair. When you abuse something, you are not treating it the way it is supposed to be treated. For example, if someone hits another person, they abuse their strength. If someone keeps yelling mean words at a friend, they abuse their voice. If a person uses rules or power to hurt others instead of helping them, they abuse their power. Abuse is never okay, and it hurts people, animals, or things.

The cat abused the doorbell by pressing it 27 times a minute just to watch humans run.

My cousin abused the door by slamming it so often it probably wants a vacation.

The squirrel abused my kindness by pretending to be cute while stealing all my snacks.

I abused my pillow by screaming into it every time my math homework looked scary.

If you abuse your voice by yelling all day at a game, it can get so tired you sound like a squeaky door trying to sing opera.

She watched Tom abuse the red kite, abuse the thin string, abuse the paper tail, abuse the wooden stick, and abuse the wind until the kite tore and fell. She ran, picked it up, and tied the tear. Tom stopped, looked at the broken kite, and said sorry. They fixed it and flew it together.

This word is at the C1 level, which means it’s part of advanced English. It’s used in sophisticated conversations, professional settings, and academic discussions. Words at this level help you express yourself fluently and precisely in nuanced situations.

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