is a general term for the ''use'' or ''treatment'' of something (person, thing, idea, etc.) that causes some kind of harm (to the abused person or thing, to the abusers themselves, or to someone else) or is unlawful or wrongful. Its close synonyms are '''mistreatment''' and '''maltreatment'''. The word "misuse" has a more distant meaning of incorrect, uneducated use, not necessary harmful.
Abuse can be something as simple as damaging a piece of equipment through using it the wrong way, or as serious as severe maltreatment of a person. Abuse may be direct and overt, or may be disguised and covert.
Several types of abuse include:
- '' or strangers).
- Physical Abuse : Where one person inflicts physical violence or pain on another.
- al or Psychological coercion to compel another to do something they do not want, or is not in their best interests; or when one person manipulates another's emotional or psychological state for their own ends (see Battered Person Syndrome ), or commits psychological aggression using ostensibly non-violent methods to inflict mental or emotional violence or pain on another.
- or other substances, usually a form of Addiction .
- Child Abuse : Abuse, usually physical, emotional or sexual, directed at a child.
- Incest : Sexual activity between close family members.
- Spousal Abuse (or Domestic Violence ): Abuse, usually physical, or psychological abuse, directed at one's spouse.
- s and similar institutions.
- .
- Verbal abuse: The use of Foul Language , obscenities or demeaning talk directed at another.
- Animal Abuse : Abuse or cruelty directed at animals.
- Legal abuse: Vexatious Litigation or Malicious Prosecution to retaliate, coerce, or emotionally/financially harm a person.
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