You can say (that people say- when they are ...).....
abuse
1 abuse
Abuse of someone is cruel and violent treatment of them.
...investigation of alleged child abuse.
...victims of sexual and physical abuse.
...controversy over human rights abuses.
N-UNCOUNT: also N in pl, usu with supp
2 abuse
Abuse is extremely rude and insulting things that people say when they are angry. I was left shouting abuse as the car sped off.
Raft repeatedly hurled verbal abuse at his co-star.
N-UNCOUNT
= insults
3 abuse abuses
Abuse of something is the use of it in a wrong way or for a bad purpose.
What went on here was an abuse of power.
...drug and alcohol abuse.
N-VAR: with supp
4 abuse abuses abusing abused
If someone is abused, they are treated cruelly and violently.
Janet had been abused by her father since she was eleven.
...parents who feel they cannot cope or might abuse their children.
...those who work with abused children.
VB
?abuser abusers
...a convicted child abuser.
N-COUNT
5 abuse abuses abusing abused
You can say that someone is abused if extremely rude and insulting things are said to them.
He alleged that he was verbally abused by other soldiers.
VB
= insult
6 abuse abuses abusing abused
If you abuse something, you use it in a wrong way or for a bad purpose.
He showed how the rich and powerful can abuse their position.
VB
?abuser
...the treatment of alcohol and drug abusers.
N-COUNT
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