Overuse of word 'abuse'

If there has already been a thread about this I have missed it.

It seems to me that the word abuse is now being used to describe quite transient incidents when, say, 'insult' would be a more appropriate word. And this has grown over the past few years. Abuse I would say is a sustained misuse of power, and we need a word for that which isn't diluted by being applied too widely. Of course I do not mean that I condone rude or insensitive comments or behaviour, but I don't think matters are helped by such strong language in return.