abuse

Compared meaning: wrong or harmful use of something (noun).

比较义项：滥用、误用某物（名词）。

• abuse 本词

  Stronger word implying serious, often deliberate or repeated harm; typically used with power, drugs, alcohol, or trust, and can suggest intent to exploit.

  语气较重，强调严重的、常常是故意或反复的伤害；多用于权力、毒品、酒精或信任，往往暗示有利用他人的意图。

  Abuse of power by officials undermines public trust in government.

  官员滥用权力，损害了公众对政府的信任。

• misuse

  Milder word for using something the wrong way, often through carelessness or ignorance rather than harmful intent; common with tools, equipment, funds, or language.

  语气较轻，指用错方法，往往是因为粗心或无知而非恶意；常搭配工具、设备、资金或语言等。

  Misuse of the fire extinguisher could leave it useless in a real emergency.

  误用灭火器可能导致它在真正的紧急情况下失效。

Abuse is the stronger word, suggesting serious, often deliberate harm, with power, drugs, alcohol, or trust. Misuse is milder, meaning using something the wrong way, often through carelessness rather than harmful intent, common with tools or funds. Not covered: abuse meaning to mistreat a person.

这两个词都表示对某物的“滥用”或“误用”，但语气和严重程度不同：abuse 强调严重、常带恶意或反复发生的伤害性滥用；misuse 语气较轻，指方法用错，多因疏忽或无知而非恶意。这里不比较 abuse 表示“虐待”或“辱骂”他人的其他常见义项。