Cruel, abusive , bad, unfair, or thoughtless treatment of a person or animal (only rarely of an object or a machine; usually: mishandle).
An attempt to find and punish or harass a group of people perceived as a threat, usually on ideological or political grounds.
A public or political campaign or investigation which smears a person or group.
A search for people believed to be using sorcery or harmful magic, typically in order to persecute or punish them.
To perform a witch-hunt.