wave of abuse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wave of abuse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and overwhelming occurrence of mistreatment or hostility directed towards someone or a group. Example: "The celebrity faced a wave of abuse on social media after the controversial statement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Newman has faced a wave of abuse and threats online, including on Twitter.

The Guardian

She faced a wave of abuse after her piece was published, with calls for her to be excommunicated.

The Guardian

That case prompted a federal blue-ribbon panel to confront the wave of abuse reports that followed, including against members of the clergy.

The New York Times

It also unleashed a parallel wave of abuse that extended to her more prominent supporters, such as the MP Stella Creasy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Kensington Palace released a statement calling out the "racial undertones" in the coverage and the "wave of abuse and harassment" experienced by Markle.

The Washington Post

Jess Phillips spoke out after a wave of abuse was launched against her, apparently after she replied to one person who said: "I wouldn't even rape you".

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Since then, narcotic painkillers, or opioids, have become the most frequently prescribed drugs in the United States and have set off a wave of misuse, abuse and addiction.

The New York Times

Ms Khan said the war in Iraq had led to a new wave of abuses but diverted attention from many "old" problem areas of the world.

The Guardian

This review makes Missouri the first state to publicly announce such an inquiry after the searing Pennsylvania grand jury report released last week, which documented a wave of abuses and coverups spanning decades and involving more than 300 Catholic priests.

The Washington Post

"He hasn't shown the guts to stop the people involved in these waves of abuse.

The Guardian

Although doctor-prescribed amphetamines have fueled previous waves of abuse, this time is different.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add clarity and specificity, consider specifying the nature of the abuse (e.g., "wave of online abuse", "wave of racial abuse").

Common error

Avoid using "wave of abuse" when describing isolated incidents. The phrase implies a widespread or escalating pattern of mistreatment, not a single event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wave of abuse" functions as a noun phrase that acts as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI validates its correct and frequent usage in describing escalating patterns of mistreatment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wave of abuse" effectively conveys a sudden and widespread occurrence of mistreatment, validated by Ludwig AI's analysis. Commonly found in news and media contexts, it serves to highlight serious issues objectively. While grammatically correct and frequently used, it's crucial to avoid sensationalist overuse and recognize alternative phrases like "surge of mistreatment" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surge of mistreatment

Replaces "wave" with "surge" and "abuse" with "mistreatment", both implying a sudden increase in negative actions.

outburst of aggression

Substitutes "wave" with "outburst" and "abuse" with "aggression", focusing on the aggressive nature of the mistreatment.

onslaught of hostility

Changes "wave" to "onslaught" and "abuse" to "hostility", emphasizing the overwhelming and antagonistic nature.

flurry of attacks

Replaces "wave" with "flurry" and "abuse" with "attacks", highlighting the numerous and rapid nature of the hostile actions.

spate of victimization

Uses "spate" instead of "wave" and "victimization" instead of "abuse", focusing on the result of abuse, the action of victimizing.

eruption of maltreatment

Substitutes "wave" with "eruption" and "abuse" with "maltreatment", both suggesting a sudden and forceful display of mistreatment.

torrent of denigration

Replaces "wave" with "torrent" and "abuse" with "denigration", highlighting the harsh and critical nature of the mistreatment.

deluge of persecution

Changes "wave" to "deluge" and "abuse" to "persecution", which implies a sense of sustained and oppressive mistreatment.

stream of invective

Replaces "wave" with "stream" and "abuse" with "invective", focusing on the abusive language used.

barrage of disparagement

Substitutes "wave" with "barrage" and "abuse" with "disparagement", both emphasizing the concentrated and belittling aspect of the abuse.

FAQs

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

You can use "wave of abuse" to describe a sudden and widespread occurrence of mistreatment, such as "The politician faced a "wave of abuse" after the controversial statement".

What are some alternatives to "wave of abuse"?

Some alternatives include "surge of mistreatment", "outburst of aggression", or "flurry of attacks", depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "wave of abuse" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in news reports or academic analyses where describing widespread mistreatment is necessary. It maintains a neutral and informative tone.

What's the difference between "wave of abuse" and "sign of abuse"?

"Wave of abuse" describes a widespread occurrence of mistreatment, while "sign of abuse" refers to an individual indicator or symptom of mistreatment. They address different aspects of abuse.