The best replacement for abuse is dependence.

The best alternatives to abuse are rated as following:
★★★★★  dependence
★★★★  neglect
★★★★  addiction
★★★★  discipline
★★  misuse
★★  alcoholism
★  assault
★  substance dependence
★  drug addiction
★  punishment
★  anger
★  violence
★  alcohol dependence
★  dependence substances
★  harassment
★  bullying
★  neglect of a child
★  physical abuse
  nefarious use
  parental discipline
  use
  molestation
  experimentation
  trauma
  child neglect
  addiction substance
  dependency
  mental illness
  dependence alcohol
  domestic violence
  drug dependence
  physical
  accident

Your alternative for abuse is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about abuse, one probably shouldn't forget about violence.

Other search terms related to abuse and their ratings are:
★★★★★ violence
★★ hitting
★ nurses
★ dependence
You have in mind a companion for abuse and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of abuse in all years. Click on graph for more.
abuse
dependence
neglect