abusar

to abuse

verb ah-boo-SAHR Rare

Origin: From Latin abusare (to misuse).

Also means

to take advantage of

Usage Note

Abusar always requires the preposition de: abusar de alguien (to abuse someone), abusar de la confianza (to abuse trust). It cannot take a direct object without de. The noun is abuso and the agent noun is abusador or abusón (informal, a bully or someone who takes advantage).

Examples

"No debes abusar de la paciencia ajena."

Natural Translation

You should not take advantage of other people's patience.

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