The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word ABUSE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
A
B
U
S
E
More clues leading to the result ABUSE
- American cigarette end with prime tar rating
- Lincoln possibly admitting American ill-treatment
- Before service, sailor curses?
- British in Australia finally denounce exploitation
- The same Scottish maltreatment
- A large vehicle in contact with bike’s rear, causing damage
- Wrong coach – first accepted, unsuitable at last
- President has introduced his country to harm
- American in Lincoln is hurt
- We’re in Lincoln for bad treatment
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "exploitation" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case exploitation = abuse.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 ABUSE mean?
ABUSE noun- Improper treatment or usage; application to a wrong or bad purpose; an unjust, corrupt or wrongful practice or custom.
- Misuse; improper use; perversion.
- A delusion; an imposture; misrepresentation; deception.
- Coarse, insulting speech; abusive language; language that unjustly or angrily vilifies.
- Catachresis.
- Physical maltreatment; injury; cruel treatment.
- Violation; defilement; rape; forcing of undesired sexual activity by one person on another, often on a repeated basis.
- To put to a wrong use; to misapply; to use improperly; to misuse; to use for a wrong purpose or end; to pervert
- To injure; to maltreat; to hurt; to treat with cruelty, especially repeatedly.
- To attack with coarse language; to insult; to revile; malign; to speak in an offensive manner to or about someone; to disparage.
- 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.
- To violate; defile; to rape.
- Misrepresent; adulterate.
- To deceive; to trick; to impose on; misuse the confidence of.
- Disuse.