Abuse dream meaning is explained below using 17 different sources. Each interpretation is shown with its source.

Interpretation 1 — Dream Explanations - Anonymous

Dreams of abuse are venting dreams about control, or the lack thereof.

If you dream of being the victim of abuse, then you are venting your connection to the victim archetype and are coming to terms with your own power. You are realizing that it is either time to stand up for yourself, or to remove yourself from a non-supportive situation.

If you dream of being the abuser, then you are venting your frustration and rage at feeling out of control. Your subconscious mind may be cautioning you to take responsibility for your feelings and actions and treat others the way you’d like to be treated. Dreams of abuse also reflect the way you treat yourself.

See Venting Dreams.

Source: Strangest Dream Explanations Author: Dream Explanations - Anonymous

Interpretation 2 — Patrica Telesco

(see Fighting, Running, Seduction, Sexual Encounters)

Feeling violated or exploited by an individual, a group, or a situation.

If you are the abuser in the dream, this may represent pent-up displeasure toward yourself or antagonism toward another.

A memory surfacing. Some abuse victims have uncovered their memories through dreams. However, caution must be issued here. Since this topic is widely covered by the media, what you experience in a dream can reenact some of these stories, engendered by your emotional response (fear, indignation, outrage, etc.).

Source: The Language of Dreams Author: Patrica Telesco

Interpretation 3 — Gustavus Hindman Miller

To dream of abusing a person, means that you will be unfortunate in your affairs, losing good money through over-bearing persistency in business relations with others.

To feel yourself abused, you will be molested in your daily pursuits by the enmity of others.

For a young woman to dream that she hears abusive language, foretells that she will fall under the ban of some person’s jealousy and envy.

If she uses the language herself, she will meet with unexpected rebuffs, that may fill her with mortification and remorse for her past unworthy conduct toward friends.

Source: Ten Thousand Dream Interpretation Author: Gustavus Hindman Miller

Interpretation 4 — Joan Seaman - Tom Philbin

1. If a character in the dream has been mistreated by the dreamer, fear of repercussions for the dreamer.

2. Fear of being abused or taken advantage of.

3. If dreamers witness someone being abused and liking it, it may be themselves if they were abused early in life (abuse equals love—attention—however represented).

4. If being attacked by an animal or other crea­ture, the creature may represent someone who abused the dreamer when a child.

Source: New American Dream Dictionary Author: Joan Seaman - Tom Philbin

Interpretation 5 — Michael and Elizabeth Thiessen

If you dream you are abusing someone you are about to suffer repercussions from friends toward whom you have acted less then honorable.

If you feel that you are abused, or if you are being verbally or physically abused, you will soon fall into the hands of an enemy. Being forewarned is being forearmed, and your dreams are advising you that you will be the sufferer unless you pay close attention to your dealings in the immediate future.

Source: Encyclopedia of Dreams Author: Michael and Elizabeth Thiessen

Interpretation 6 — Nancy Wagaman

A feeling or fear of (physical, emotional, or mental) abuse, manipulation, someone trying to gain power over you, someone taking advantage of you, or other ill will.

Something in your past that was (or felt) abusive.

Perceiving someone in your life as hurtful or disrespectful.

See Tormented, Attacked, Being, Attacking, Judgment or Disapproval, Hurt, Being, Weird

Source: The Curious Dreamer’s Dream Dictionary Author: Nancy Wagaman

Interpretation 7 — Stephen Girard

To dream that you are abused and insulted, is a certain sign that some dispute will happen between you and some person with whom you have business; therefore, after such a dream you should be particularly careful of yourself, and be as gentle and mild as possible, that you may not give those with whom you have dealings any advantage over you. 
Source: The Mystic Dream Book Author: Stephen Girard

Interpretation 8 — myjellybean

If you dream of being abused, it forewarns that an enemy will trick you.

If you abuse someone in your dream, there will be negative results from not doing the right thing in a friendship situation. Obviously, dreams of abuse are also common among people who have experienced abuse in real life.

Source: My Dream Interpretation Author: myjellybean

Interpretation 9 — Versatile - Anonymous

Material aspects: Physical abuse can give rise to nightmares and other terror dreams, further depleting our resources due to both broken sleep patterns and the over stimulation of the fright, fight, flight response.
Source: Dream Meanings of Versatile Author: Versatile - Anonymous

Interpretation 10 — Versatile - Anonymous

Spiritual abuse suggests that our sense of rightness has been violated. Perhaps our beliefs or faith have been held up to ridicule. We do not have the resources to be able to withstand such an onslaught.
Source: Dream Meanings of Versatile Author: Versatile - Anonymous

Interpretation 11 — Internet Archive - Anonymous

To dream that someone is abusing you is a bad sign, but it applies to your business affairs only. But to dream that you are abusing some other person foretells success, after hard work.

See ACCUSE.

Source: Mystic Dream Book Author: Internet Archive - Anonymous

Interpretation 12 — Versatile - Anonymous

Psychological / emotional perspective: Emotional abuse in ordinary life can be experienced in dreams as violence and brutality.
Source: Dream Meanings of Versatile Author: Versatile - Anonymous

Interpretation 13 — Indian - Anonymous

There may be a dispute between you and the person with whom you do business. Take heed and be not slack in your attentions.
Source: Indian Interpretation of Dreams Author: Indian - Anonymous

Interpretation 14 — Silvana Amar

False friends are indicated if the dreamer is being abused. Bad business deals if the dreamer is doing the abusing. 
Source: The Bedside Dream Dictionary Author: Silvana Amar

Interpretation 15 — Gillian Holloway

It is a good sign to dream that you are abusing someone else; It presages success through your own efforts.
Source: The Complete Dream Book Author: Gillian Holloway

Interpretation 16 — Margaret Hamilton

Revealed to avert; research the type of abuse; see “bound”
Source: Dream Dictionary Unlimited Author: Margaret Hamilton

Interpretation 17 — Ibn Seerin

(See Insult)
Source: Islamic Dream Interpretation Author: Ibn Seerin