Cryptic crossword clue
A following letter employing harsh language 7

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word ABUSING

I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "employing harsh language" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case employing harsh language = abusing.
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.
This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.

What does ABUSING mean?

ABUSING verb
  1. To put to a wrong use; to misapply; to use improperly; to misuse; to use for a wrong purpose or end; to pervert
  2. To injure; to maltreat; to hurt; to treat with cruelty, especially repeatedly.
  3. To attack with coarse language; to insult; to revile; malign; to speak in an offensive manner to or about someone; to disparage.
  4. To imbibe a drug for a purpose other than it was intended; to intentionally take more of a drug than was prescribed for recreational reasons; to take illegal drugs habitually.
  5. To violate; defile; to rape.
  6. Misrepresent; adulterate.
  7. To deceive; to trick; to impose on; misuse the confidence of.
  8. Disuse.

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