a stream of abuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a stream of abuse" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone is speaking or writing in a way that is hostile and insulting. For example, "The manager was so angry that he unleashed a stream of abuse at the employee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Barely had transmission begun when Deen's twitter account was hit by a stream of abuse.

Independent

He recently appeared on an Internet forum sponsored by a newspaper, and despite expectations by organizers of a stream of abuse, the session passed without incident.

The New York Times

When an airline clerk refuses to allow Tomas to board a plane, Kaisa goes ballistic, spewing a stream of abuse that nearly lands her in jail.

The New York Times

He apologised to Obaid, but according to Justo, his friend "went mad", sending him a stream of abuse, via text messages and emails.

The Guardian

But MPs hit back and condemned the Labour leader for facilitating the attacks after they were targeted by anti-war campaigners with a stream of abuse online, over the phone and outside their constituency offices.

Independent

He woke up to a stream of abuse from the chef concerned, Claude Bosi, with fellow two-Michelin-starred cooks Simon Rogan, Tom Kerridge and Sat Bains jumping to Bosi's defence under the hashtag chefsunite.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

It was she who let out a stream of enraged abuse, to the mystification of all observers.

The New Yorker

He responds with a stream of verbal abuse against agents, which, to his surprise, makes her cry.

The New Yorker

Nasri then turned back and said "fuck you" followed by a stream of further abuse, inviting the reporter to have a conversation with him man-to-man.

The Guardian - Sport

Joyce's office accused Sandilands of a stream of verbal abuse, inappropriate referencing and a lack of the courtesies that would normally be afforded to a minister of the crown.

The Guardian

Nasri turned back, shouted "Fuck you," and, amid a stream of further abuse, suggested he and journalist have what Oleh Blokhin would call a "man talk" before being led away by French media relations staff.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a stream of abuse", ensure the context clearly indicates a continuous or prolonged period of abusive language or behavior. It's most effective when describing situations where the abuse is sustained rather than isolated.

Common error

Avoid using "a stream of abuse" to describe a single, isolated instance of abusive language. This phrase implies an ongoing and sustained pattern, not a one-time event. Use alternative phrases like "an abusive remark" or "a fit of rage" for single incidents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a stream of abuse" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a continuous outpouring of harmful or offensive language or behavior. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Lifestyle

15%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a stream of abuse" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a continuous flow of abusive language or behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It is most frequently found in News & Media contexts and serves to emphasize the sustained and intense nature of the abuse. When using this phrase, ensure the context warrants the implication of ongoing abuse rather than isolated incidents. Alternatives such as ""torrent of abuse"" or ""barrage of insults"" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

torrent of abuse

Replaces "stream" with "torrent", suggesting a more forceful and overwhelming flow of abuse.

flood of vitriol

Replaces "abuse" with "vitriol", highlighting the bitterness and malice behind the outpouring.

barrage of insults

Substitutes "abuse" with "insults" and "stream" with "barrage", focusing on verbal attacks.

deluge of invective

Uses more formal language, replacing "abuse" with "invective" and "stream" with "deluge", implying a literary or rhetorical attack.

tirade of insults

Highlights the lengthy and accusatory nature of the insults.

onslaught of criticism

Shifts the focus to "criticism" instead of direct abuse, suggesting a sustained and heavy attack of disapproval.

hail of accusations

Emphasizes the accusatory nature of the abuse, portraying it as a rapid and intense series of charges.

outburst of invective

Focuses on a sudden and forceful expression of abuse, rather than a continuous flow.

constant harassment

Emphasizes the ongoing and persistent nature of the abusive behavior, broadening the scope beyond just verbal attacks.

nonstop beratement

Highlights the act of scolding or criticizing someone persistently and vehemently.

FAQs

How can I use "a stream of abuse" in a sentence?

You can use "a stream of abuse" to describe a continuous flow of insulting or offensive language. For example, "After the controversial decision, the referee faced "a stream of abuse" from angry fans".

What are some alternatives to saying "a stream of abuse"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "torrent of abuse", "barrage of insults", or "flood of vitriol" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "a stream of abuse" in formal writing?

While "a stream of abuse" is widely understood, consider the tone and audience. In highly formal contexts, a more precise or nuanced phrase might be preferable, such as "a sustained period of harassment" or "a continuous barrage of derogatory comments".

What's the difference between "a stream of abuse" and "an instance of abuse"?

"A stream of abuse" implies a continuous or prolonged period of abusive language or behavior, while "an instance of abuse" refers to a single, isolated event. The former suggests an ongoing pattern, while the latter indicates a one-time occurrence.