abuso

abuse

noun ah-BOO-soh Less Common

Origin: From Latin abusus (misuse), from abuti (to misuse), from ab- + uti (to use).

Also means

misuse

Usage Note

Abuso spans physical abuse (abuso físico), sexual abuse (abuso sexual), and the milder sense of overuse or misuse (abuso de poder, abuse of power; abuso de sustancias, substance abuse). The verb is abusar de (to abuse, to take advantage of). A useful idiom is ¡qué abuso! — used to express indignation at something unfair ('what a scandal!' / 'that's outrageous!'). Masculine noun; plural abusos.

Examples

"El abuso de poder no puede tolerarse."

Natural Translation

Abuse of power cannot be tolerated.

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