| Main Entry: | abuse |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | attack with words |
Synonyms: |
backbite, bad-mouth, bash, belittle, berate, blow off, calumniate, cap, castigate, cuss out, cut down, cut to the quick, decry, defame, derogate, discount, do a number on, dump on, give a black eye, hurl brickbat, insult, knock*, minimize, nag, offend, oppress, persecute, pick on, put down*, rag on, reproach, revile, ride*, rip up, run down, scold, signify, slam*, slap, sling mud, smear, sound*, swear at, tear apart, trash*, upbraid, vilify, vituperate, zing |
| Notes: | abuse carries with it some sense of harm; misuse refers to an incorrect use that may not lead to harm to misuse is to use something wrongly, to abuse is to misuse something so badly that you damage it |
Antonyms: |
acclaim, adulate, approve, commend, compliment, praise |
| Main Entry: | burst |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | blow up, break out |
Synonyms: |
barge, blow, break, crack, detonate, discharge, disintegrate, erupt, explode, fly open, fracture, fragment, gush forth, perforate, pierce, pop, prick, puncture, rend asunder, run, rupture, rush, shatter, shiver, splinter, split, spout, tear apart |
| Main Entry: | censure |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | condemn; criticize severely |
Synonyms: |
abuse, admonish, animadvert, asperse, attack, backbite, berate, blame, carp at, castigate, cavil, chastise, chide, contemn, cut up, denigrate, denounce, deprecate, disapprove, discipline, disparage, exprobate, find fault with, get after, impugn, incriminate, judge, knock, lecture, look askance, ostracize, pick apart, pull apart, read out, rebuff, rebuke, remonstrate, reprehend, reprimand, reproach, reprove, scold, take to task, tear apart, tell off, upbraid |
Antonyms: |
allow, approve, compliment, endorse, laud, permit, sanction |
| Main Entry: | rebuke |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | reprimand; criticize harshly |
Synonyms: |
admonish, bawl out, berate, blame, call on the carpet, carp on, castigate, censure, chew out, chide, climb all over, dress down, fry, go after, jawbone, jump down one's throat, jump on, lay into, lean on, lecture, lesson, monish, oppose, pay, rake, read*, reprehend, reprimand, reproach, reprove, rip*, scold, sit on, sound off, take to task, tear apart, tell off, tick off, upbraid, zap |
Antonyms: |
compliment, flatter, praise |