gerund / present participle
Treating a person or animal in a cruel or harmful way.
They are abusing their son.
Someone was abusing the dog.
American English
How to pronounce abusing
verbB2Common word
uhbYOOzihng
/əbˈju.zɪŋ/
3 syllables · Stress the second syllable.
Form of abuse
Abusing is used in continuous verb forms and as a gerund in phrases such as “abusing someone.”
Treating a person or animal in a cruel or harmful way.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
gerund / present participle
Using a power, right, or system in a wrong or harmful way.
He is abusing his power as manager.
They are abusing their friends' trust.
gerund / present participle
Using alcohol or drugs too much or in a harmful way.
She is abusing prescription drugs.
He has been abusing alcohol for years.
Useful expressions
Cruel or harmful treatment of a child.
The law protects children from child abuse.
Insulting or aggressive words used to hurt someone.
She left the job because of the verbal abuse.
The use of power in a harmful or unfair way.
The report described an abuse of power.
Related words & forms
For the verb, drop the final e before -ing: abusing, not abuseing.