zloupotrebe

Zloupotreba is a noun used in Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian and Montenegrin to denote the act of using something in an improper, unethical, or illegal way. The term covers abuse of resources, information, trust, or authority. Etymologically, it combines zlo- meaning "evil" or "bad" with upotreba meaning "use," yielding a literal sense of "bad use" or "misuse." The singular forms zloupotreba and the plural zloupotrebe are used in everyday and formal language.

In legal and administrative contexts, zloupotreba often refers to unlawful exploitation or misuse by persons in positions of power or entrusted with resources. Common collocations include zloupotreba novca (misuse of money), zloupotreba službenog položaja (abuse of official position), and zloupotreba podataka (misuse of data). The term is also applied more broadly to cases of malpractice, fraud, or exploitation in various institutions.

Types of zloupotreba can include abuse of power, financial misuse such as embezzlement or misallocation of funds, professional misconduct like fraud or falsification, and abuse of trust or information. Causes typically involve power imbalances, weak oversight, corruption, or inadequate accountability mechanisms. Consequences may include harm to individuals or organizations, legal sanctions, disciplinary action, and damage to reputation.

Responses to zloupotreba generally emphasize accountability, transparency, and risk management, with criminal penalties or administrative sanctions where applicable. The concept is closely related to broader discussions of corruption and governance, and it is used to describe actions that undermine fairness, legality, or integrity in public and private sectors. See also: abuse of power, corruption, misuse of funds.