n. 25B6; verb
the judge abused his power : MISUSE, misapply, misemploy; exploit, take advantage of.
he was accused of abusing children : MISTREAT, maltreat, ill-treat, treat badly; molest, interfere with, indecently assault, sexually abuse, sexually assault; injure, hurt, harm, damage.
the referee was abused by players from both teams : INSULT, be rude to, swear at, curse, call someone names, taunt, shout at, revile, inveigh against, vilify, slander, cast aspersions on; Brit. informal slag off.
25B6; noun
the abuse of power : MISUSE, misapplication, misemployment; exploitation.
the abuse of children : MISTREATMENT, maltreatment, ill-treatment; molestation, interference, indecent assault, sexual abuse, sexual assault; injury, hurt, harm, damage.
the scheme is open to administrative abuse : CORRUPTION, injustice, wrongdoing, wrong, misconduct, misdeed(s), offence(s), crime(s), sin(s).
torrents of abuse : INSULTS, curses, jibes, expletives, swear words; swearing, cursing, name-calling; invective, vilification, vituperation, slander; Brit. informal verbal(s); N. Amer. informal trash talk; archaic contumely.