The Clue
Maltreater's action (7 letter answer)
The Answer
ABUSING
Tags
Notes
The answer ABUSING is so rare that it appears less than once every 2500 puzzles.
Definition
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"