in the face of abuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the face of abuse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is confronted with or enduring abuse, often implying resilience or courage in response to it. Example: "She remained strong in the face of abuse, refusing to let it define her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Or take Half Ladies' defiance in the face of abuse: "I've found a place of grace … every insult I hear back darkens into a beauty mark," she sings, before another fantastic chorus – one on which her love of Michael Jackson shines through – sweeps the song along.

The Guardian - Music

"In the face of abuse and exploitation on this scale there is no room for apathy," Ms Martel said.

BBC

"It's not just simply staying silent in the face of abuse, but it's lying," he says.

Huffington Post

Though Kamil's story contains many horrors, it is also shows how a well-prepared young person can act in the face of abuse.

Huffington Post

As long as there is backlash against those who stand up for themselves in the face of abuse, there should be consequences for those who are accused.

Huffington Post

But a confident voice -- in the face of abuse, sexism, racism and inequalities of all shapes and forms -- is something to strive for.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The region is quick to condemn anything that smacks of a coup, but is complacent in the face of abuses of power and of human rights by governments of the left, who appeal to "anti-imperialism" and "the people"—the banners of a past that is only partially remembered and understood.

The Economist

He insists that he is standing up for ordinary people in the face of abuses.

BBC

So long as schools continue to cower in the face of N.C.A.A. abuses, those abuses will continue.

The New York Times

It cannot be said often enough: no public official should tread lightly in the face of child abuse even if those perpetrating the abuse don the cloak of religion.

Huffington Post

The royal commission into institutional child sexual abuse is detailing many examples of past inaction in the face of child abuse reports.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in the face of abuse", ensure the sentence clearly indicates who is facing the abuse and what actions they are taking or what outcomes they are achieving despite the abuse. This provides context and strengthens the impact of your message.

Common error

Avoid using "in the face of abuse" when simply describing abuse. This phrase implies resilience or action taken despite the abuse, not just the presence of abuse. Instead, use descriptive language about the abuse itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the face of abuse" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating the circumstances under which an action occurs. Ludwig's examples show it's often used to describe how someone reacts or behaves when confronted with abuse. It emphasizes resilience or defiance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the face of abuse" is a prepositional phrase that denotes acting or persisting despite experiencing abuse. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and illustrates its usage across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While not exceedingly common, it effectively conveys resilience and defiance. When using the phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates who is experiencing the abuse and their subsequent actions or outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

despite the abuse

Replaces a prepositional phrase with a preposition emphasizing concession.

notwithstanding the abuse

Emphasizes the act of proceeding despite the existence of abuse.

even with the abuse

Highlights the challenging circumstances, but focusing on the perseverance.

under abusive conditions

Shifts the focus to the abusive conditions themselves.

amidst the abuse

Highlights the act of prevailing despite concurrent abuse.

while enduring abuse

Replaces a prepositional phrase with a present participle, emphasizing the duration of the abuse.

confronting abuse directly

Focuses on the act of directly addressing and dealing with abuse.

in spite of the maltreatment

Uses a synonym for abuse to express a similar meaning.

withstanding the abuse

Emphasizes the strength and resilience to endure the abuse.

during times of abuse

Shifts the focus to a specific period when abuse is occurring.

FAQs

How can I use "in the face of abuse" in a sentence?

Use "in the face of abuse" to describe someone or something that persists or succeeds despite experiencing abuse. For example, "She remained strong "despite the abuse"".

What are some alternatives to saying "in the face of abuse"?

You can use alternatives such as ""despite the abuse"", "notwithstanding the abuse", or "even with the abuse" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "in the face of abuse" or "despite abuse"?

"In the face of abuse" and "despite abuse" are both grammatically correct, but "in the face of abuse" often implies a more direct confrontation or endurance of the abuse, whereas "despite abuse" is more general.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "in the face of abuse"?

Use "in the face of abuse" when you want to emphasize the strength, resilience, or actions taken by someone or something enduring abuse, highlighting their ability to overcome or persist through difficult circumstances.