1. (

• mistreat ,
• maltreat ,
• abuse ,
• ill-use ,
• step ,
• ill-treat

) treat badly; "This boss abuses his workers"; "She is always stepping on others to get ahead" ;

2. (

• pervert ,
• misuse ,
• abuse

) change the inherent purpose or function of something; "Don't abuse the system"; "The director of the factory misused the funds intended for the health care of his workers" ;

3. (

• abuse ,
• clapperclaw ,
• blackguard ,
• shout ,

) use foul or abusive language towards; "The actress abused the policeman who gave her a parking ticket"; "The angry mother shouted at the teacher" ;

4. (

• abuse ,

) use wrongly or improperly or excessively; "Her husband often abuses alcohol"; "while she was pregnant, she abused drugs" ;