Abuse
Part of speech: noun
Definition: Improper treatment or usage; application to a wrong or bad purpose; misuse; perversion. Physical or verbal maltreatment; injury. An unjust, corrupt or wrongful practice or custom; offense; crime; fault. Coarse, insulting speech; abusive language. Sexual assault; violation; rape.
Part of speech: verb
Definition: To put to a wrong use; to misapply; to use improperly; to misuse; to use for a wrong purpose or end; to pervert; as, to abuse one's authority. To injure; to maltreat; to hurt; to treat with cruelty. To rape; to assault; to ravish; to violate. To attack with coarse language; to insult; to revile. To deceive; to trick; to impose on.
Example sentence: There is no life to be found in violence. Every act of violence brings us closer to death. Whether it's the mundane violence we do to our bodies by overeating toxic food or drink or the extreme violence of child abuse, domestic warfare, life-threatening poverty, addiction, or state terrorism.
Maltreatment
Part of speech: noun
Definition: cruel or harmful treatment or abuse; mistreatment