abuse

S2 W2

BrE /əˈbjuːz/ AmE /əˈbyuz/

noun / verb en → es

past abused pp abused ing abusing

1 HARM/INJURE [transitive] B1

to treat someone in a way that is cruel or unfair, especially over a long period of time

maltratar, abusar de alguien

  • abuse somebody

Collocations abuse children · abuse a patient

  • He was accused of abusing his wife.

    Fue acusado de maltratar a su esposa.

2 VERBAL HARM [transitive] B1

to say or do cruel things to someone, especially over a long period of time

maltratar verbalmente, insultar

  • abuse somebody

Collocations verbal abuse · emotional abuse

  • She suffered verbal abuse from her boss.

    Sufrió maltrato verbal por parte de su jefe.

3 DRUG [transitive] B2

to use a drug in an illegal or harmful way, especially regularly and to excess

abusar de (sustancias)

  • abuse something

Collocations drug abuse · alcohol abuse

  • He has a serious drug abuse problem.

    Tiene un problema grave de abuso de drogas.

4 VERB [transitive] C1

to use something in an improper or harmful way, especially regularly and to excess

abusar de (algo)

  • abuse something

Collocations abuse power · abuse the system

  • The company abuses its monopoly position.

    La empresa abusa de su posición monopolística.

1 HARM/INJURY [noun] B1

cruel or unfair treatment of someone, especially over a long period of time

maltrato, abuso

  • physical abuse
  • verbal abuse

Collocations child abuse · domestic abuse

  • There is a high level of domestic abuse in this area.

    En esta área hay un alto nivel de abuso doméstico.

2 DRUG [noun] B2

the use of drugs in an illegal or harmful way, especially regularly and to excess

abuso (de drogas)

  • drug abuse

Collocations alcohol abuse · substance abuse

  • The hospital treats drug and alcohol abuse.

    El hospital trata el abuso de drogas y alcohol.

3 VERB [noun] C1

the improper or harmful use of something, especially regularly and to excess

abuso (de algo)

  • power abuse

Collocations abuse of power · abuse of the system

  • There is a widespread abuse of authority in this company.

    En esta empresa hay un abuso generalizado de autoridad.