Treat badly (5 letters)

{ Answer }

ABUSE

{ Related Clues }

Billingsgate
Invective
Maltreat
Maltreatment
Manhandle
Mistreat
Mistreatment
Obloquy
Revile
Vilify
Vituperate
Vituperation
Wrong
Battery, e.g.
Bullying, e.g.
Harsh treatment
Ill-treatment
Invective, e.g.
Obloquy, e.g.
Scolding, e.g.
Shabby treatment

{ Tags }

abuse, bad, badly, battery, billingsgate, bullying, disdain, eg, ill, invective, maltreat, maltreatment, mistreat, mistreatment, obloquy, revile, scolding, treat, treatment, vituperation, warranty

{ Notes }

The answer ABUSE is common and appears about once every 225 puzzles.

{ Definition }

ABUSE as a noun:

1. (maltreatment, ill-treatment, ill-usage, abuse) = cruel or inhumane treatment

2. (abuse, insult, revilement, contumely, vilification) = a rude expression intended to offend or hurt; "when a student made a stupid mistake he spared them no abuse"; "they yelled insults at the visiting team"

3. (misuse, abuse) = improper or excessive use

ABUSE as a verb:

1. (mistreat, maltreat, abuse, ill-use, step, ill-treat) = treat badly; "This boss abuses his workers"; "She is always stepping on others to get ahead"

2. (pervert, misuse, abuse) = change the inherent purpose or function of something; "Don't abuse the system"; "The director of the factory misused the funds intended for the health care of his workers"

3. (abuse, clapperclaw, blackguard, shout) = use foul or abusive language towards; "The actress abused the policeman who gave her a parking ticket"; "The angry mother shouted at the teacher"

4. use wrongly or improperly or excessively; "Her husband often abuses alcohol"; "while she was pregnant, she abused drugs"