Crossword Genius

Not well: provide care for abuse (3-5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ill-treat

'abuse' is the definition.
(I know that abuse can be written as ill-treat)

'not well provide care for' is the wordplay.
'not well' becomes 'ill' ('ill' is the opposite to 'well').
'provide care for' becomes 'treat' (as in treating a patient).
'ill'+'treat'='ILL-TREAT'

(Other definitions for ill-treat that I've seen before include "Misuse" , "Abuse" , "Use someone badly or cruelly" , "Act cruelly towards (someone)" , "Subject to cruel or abusive usage" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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