collocations.org

Collocations for abuse - noun

1. wrong/bad use of sth

ADJ.

alcohol, drug, solvent, substance
(= drugs or solvents)

VERB + ABUSE

be open to
The legal system is open to abuse.

PHRASES

the abuse of power

2. bad, usually violent treatment of sb

ADJ.

emotional, physical, sex/sexual | child, elder
victims of child abuse
human rights ~s
allegations of human rights abuses
alleged, suspected

QUANT.

case
six cases of suspected child abuse

VERB + ABUSE

carry out, subject sb to
She was subjected to regular sexual abuse.
suffer, take
The child had taken a lot of emotional abuse.
suspect sb of

ABUSE + VERB

happen, occur, take place

PHRASES

an allegation of abuse, a perpetrator of abuse, a victim of abuse

3. insulting words

ADJ.

verbal | personal, racial

QUANT.

stream, torrent
He was subjected to a torrent of abuse.

VERB + ABUSE

hurl, scream, shout, shower sb with, subject sb to, yell | endure
They had to endure continual racial abuse.

PHRASES

heap abuse on sb/sth
Abuse and scorn were heaped on the proposals.
a target for/of abuse
The team who lost became a target of abuse for angry fans.
a term of abuse
Calling someone stupid is definitely a term of abuse.

Collocations for abuse - verb

ADV.

emotionally, mentally, physically, sexually, verbally
All the children had been physically and emotionally abused.

Report an error or submit a comment/suggestion on abuse