abuse

> abuse and misuse
abuse and misuse both mean wrong or improper use or treatment. However, abuse tends to be a more condemnatory term, suggesting that the wrong use or treatment is morally wrong or illegal. Thus we find "misuse of the equipment" or "misuse of one's talents", but "abuse of a privileged position" or "abuse of children". "Child abuse" is usually used to indicate physical violence or sexual assault.
Abuse is also frequently applied to the use of substances that are dangerous or injurious to health, as "drug abuse", "solvent abuse", or "alcohol abuse". In addition, it is used to describe insulting or offensive language, as in "shout abuse at the referee".