abused
adjective
ə-ˈbyüzd 
: subjected to harmful or improper treatment : having suffered abuse
providing support for abused children/women
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web CASA Kane County is seeking volunteers to advocate for abused or neglected children who find themselves in the court system. 
Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2022 His proposal muddles the message that would galvanize younger voters and, with no real accountability, lead to a replication of abused Black and brown communities. Maya Wiley, The New Republic, 5 Aug. 2022 If economic competition is ever to be truly attempted here, Aeroflot will have to be severed into rival parts like some mythic creature, and its much abused passengers can only hope to witness its writhings. New York Times, 11 July 2022 The case has gotten particular attention because several abused wrestlers have accused Representative Jim Jordan, who was an assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State, of knowing about the abuse but not doing anything to stop it. Matthew Gilbert, BostonGlobe.com, 24 June 2022 Much ends up in Lake Okeechobee, a place considered by many the watery but much abused heart of the Everglades. Richard Mertens, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 June 2022 The dark history of Native American boarding schools — where children were forced from their families, prohibited from speaking their languages and often abused — has been felt deeply across Indian Country and through generations. Felicia Fonseca, Anchorage Daily News, 12 May 2022 The dark history of the boarding schools — where children who were taken from their families were prohibited from speaking their Native American languages and often abused — has been felt deeply across Indian Country and through generations. Felicia Fonseca, ajc, 11 May 2022 Intrepid girls outwit rogues, thwart empires, and rescue abused and vulnerable animals in four novels for readers ages 10 to 14. Meghan Cox Gurdon, WSJ, 6 May 2022 See More
Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2022 His proposal muddles the message that would galvanize younger voters and, with no real accountability, lead to a replication of abused Black and brown communities. Maya Wiley, The New Republic, 5 Aug. 2022 If economic competition is ever to be truly attempted here, Aeroflot will have to be severed into rival parts like some mythic creature, and its much abused passengers can only hope to witness its writhings. New York Times, 11 July 2022 The case has gotten particular attention because several abused wrestlers have accused Representative Jim Jordan, who was an assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State, of knowing about the abuse but not doing anything to stop it. Matthew Gilbert, BostonGlobe.com, 24 June 2022 Much ends up in Lake Okeechobee, a place considered by many the watery but much abused heart of the Everglades. Richard Mertens, The Christian Science Monitor, 16 June 2022 The dark history of Native American boarding schools — where children were forced from their families, prohibited from speaking their languages and often abused — has been felt deeply across Indian Country and through generations. Felicia Fonseca, Anchorage Daily News, 12 May 2022 The dark history of the boarding schools — where children who were taken from their families were prohibited from speaking their Native American languages and often abused — has been felt deeply across Indian Country and through generations. Felicia Fonseca, ajc, 11 May 2022 Intrepid girls outwit rogues, thwart empires, and rescue abused and vulnerable animals in four novels for readers ages 10 to 14. Meghan Cox Gurdon, WSJ, 6 May 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1550, in the meaning defined above
abused 1 of 2
adjective
as in mistreated
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- mistreated
- maltreated
- bullied
- intimidated
- cowed
- oppressed
- browbeaten
- persecuted
- crushed
- hectored
- disheartened
- downtrodden
- dispirited
- abject
- despairing
- tyrannized
- downcast
- hopeless
abused
2 of 2verb
1
as in bullied
to inflict physical or emotional harm upon if you abuse your pet, he will always have an ugly disposition Synonyms & Similar Words
- bullied
- tortured
- mistreated
- misused
- oppressed
- injured
- violated
- maltreated
- brutalized
- persecuted
- hurt
- manhandled
- mishandled
- ill-treated
- harassed
- molested
- ill-used
- tormented
- harmed
- outraged
- took apart
- victimized
- messed over
- wronged
- kicked around
- sandbagged
- burnt
- burned
- worked (over)
- beat (up)
- roughed (up)
- messed (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- fostered
- nurtured
- cherished
- favored
- cared (for)
- spoiled
- pampered
- indulged
- coddled
- spoilt
- gratified
- babied
- catered (to)
- mollycoddled
- humored
2
as in attacked
to criticize harshly and usually publicly a demanding, difficult patient who constantly abuses the nurses and aides Synonyms & Similar Words
- attacked
- slammed
- scolded
- insulted
- criticized
- savaged
- harassed
- blasted
- assailed
- trashed
- cursed
- excoriated
- bashed
- vituperated
- tied into
- scathed
- lambasted
- reviled
- reprimanded
- belabored
- castigated
- berated
- sailed into
- disparaged
- potshot
- belittled
- lit into
- slandered
- harangued
- affronted
- beat up on
- blasphemed
- jumped (on)
- vilified
- harried
- whipped
- execrated
- libeled
- profaned
- traduced
- aspersed
- chastised
- slurred
- chid
- libelled
- imprecated
- rebuked
- bad-mouthed
- blackguarded
- fulminated
- chided
- put down
- lashed (out)
- laced (into)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- praised
- commended
- acclaimed
- complimented
- hailed
- lauded
3
as in misused
to put to a bad or improper use if you abuse your baseball bat by using it to hammer nails, don't expect it to last long Synonyms & Similar Words
- misused
- perverted
- misapplied
- prostituted
- degraded
- corrupted
- profaned
- twisted
- mismanaged
- misemployed
- desecrated
- debased
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- used
- employed
- utilized
- applied
- respected
4
as in exploited
to take unfair advantage of abused his parents' trust, pilfering small amounts from them that he hoped they wouldn't notice Synonyms & Similar Words
- exploited
- used
- manipulated
- leveraged
- pimped
- milked
- mistreated
- cheated
- traded on
- walked on
- wrought
- worked
- cashed in (on)
- played (on or upon)
- imposed (on or upon)
- capitalized (on)
- fleeced
- jerked around
- overcharged
- skinned
- commodified
- bled
- soaked
- stuck
- commercialized