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ill-usage

noun

ill-us·​age ˈil-ˈyü-sij How to pronounce ill-usage (audio)
-zij
Synonyms of ill-usagenext
: harsh, unkind, or abusive treatment

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ill-usage was in 1593

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Cite this Entry

“Ill-usage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ill-usage. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.

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