五个单词均有“虐待”或“滥用”的含义。其中，abuse 为最常用，可指所有诽镑中伤或有害言词或行为，不管是否是故意，常用于滥用特权、权力、法律程序、毒品以及虐待儿童、妇女等[1] ，如 A policeman abusing his authority by searching the house without a warrant。maltreatment 和 mistreatment 十分近义， 均指有卑劣动机的行为。相比之下，mistreatment的虐待程度较 maltreatment轻，且其不一定具有身体上的虐待或故意伤害[2]; 而maltreatment则通常以精神上的虐待为主[3]。persecution多指因种族、宗教或信仰等原因而施加的迫害或虐待[4]。wrong主要指在无正当理由或原因的情况下受到不公正或有害的待遇，或自己的权利受到侵犯[5]。
    
[1 ] “ Abuse, the most general term in this group, covers all injurious use or treatment by word or act. It does not always connote a deliberate act. ” Cf. The Editors of the Header's Digest, Use the Right Word, at p. 689, The Reader's Digest Association Proprietary Ltd. (1971).
[2 ]  "Mistreatment is thus more general than maltreatment and need not imply physical abuse or even the desire to harm." Id. at p. 689.
[3 ] “ Maltreat，however, suggests harsher or more consciously cruel treatment than mistreatment ,which can apply to acts whose chief effect is psychological rather than physical. ” Id. at p. 689.
[4 ] "Punishment or harassment usu. of a severe nature on the basis of race, religion, or political opinion in one's country or origin. ” Cf. Linda Picard Wood, J. D.，Merriam Webster's Dictionary of Law, at p. 362，Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, Springfield, Massachusetts (1996).
[5 ] "Treat with injustice. ” Id. at p. 539.