Maltreats (6)
I believe the answer is:
abuses
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">maltreats</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">('abuse' can be a synonym of 'maltreat')</span><br/ ><br/ >This is the entire clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for abuses that I've seen before include "Reviles and insults" , "Reviles or takes undue advantage." , "Curses" , "Employs or deals with incorrectly" , "Treats cruelly" .)