abusing

transitive verb abused, abusing

1. to use wrongly; misuse: to abuse a privilege
2. 1. to hurt by treating badly; mistreat
   2. to inflict physical, sexual, or psychological harm upon
3. to use insulting, coarse, or bad language about or to; revile

Origin: ME abusen < OFr abuser < L abusus, pp. of abuti, misuse < ab-, away, from + uti, to use

noun

1. wrong, bad, or excessive use
2. mistreatment, esp. by the infliction of physical, sexual, or psychological harm; injury
3. a bad, unjust, or corrupt custom or practice
4. insulting or coarse language
5. Obsolete deception