Synonyms of abused

abused 1 of 2

adjective

as in maltreated

Related Words

• maltreated
• mistreated
• intimidated
• cowed
• bullied
• oppressed
• browbeaten
• abject
• dispirited
• disheartened
• hectored
• crushed
• downtrodden
• despairing
• persecuted
• downcast
• hopeless
• tyrannized

abused

2 of 2

verb

past tense of abuse

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
• injured
• misused
• oppressed
• violated
• brutalized
• persecuted
• maltreated
• hurt
• manhandled
• ill-treated
• mishandled
• ill-used
• harassed
• molested
• tormented
• harmed
• messed over
• outraged
• took apart
• victimized
• wronged
• kicked around
• worked (over)
• sandbagged
• burned
• beat (up)
• roughed (up)
• messed (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fostered
• cherished
• nurtured
• cared (for)
• favored
• indulged
• spoiled
• pampered
• gratified
• coddled
• catered (to)
• babied
• humored
• mollycoddled

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
• blasted
• harassed
• assailed
• cursed
• jumped (on)
• excoriated
• trashed
• tied into
• bashed
• vituperated
• scathed
• lambasted
• castigated
• sailed into
• belabored
• reviled
• reprimanded
• berated
• lit into
• disparaged
• harangued
• belittled
• blasphemed
• affronted
• potshot
• slandered
• harried
• vilified
• whipped
• execrated
• beat up on
• libeled
• profaned
• traduced
• slurred
• chastised
• imprecated
• chid
• rebuked
• lashed (out)
• aspersed
• laced (into)
• bad-mouthed
• blackguarded
• fulminated
• put down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• praised
• commended
• hailed
• acclaimed
• complimented
• 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
• misemployed
• mismanaged
• desecrated
• debased

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• used
• employed
• applied
• utilized
• 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
• played (on or upon)
• milked
• imposed (on or upon)
• traded on
• capitalized (on)
• cheated
• pimped
• mistreated
• walked on
• cashed in (on)
• worked
• fleeced
• overcharged
• jerked around
• skinned
• stuck
• bled
• soaked
• commercialized
• commodified

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of abused

Adjective

The organization focuses on homeless, abused and unwanted animals, working to match them with suitable adoptive homes and staying involved after adoption. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2026

The nonprofit focuses on homeless, abused and unwanted animals, working to match them with suitable adoptive homes and staying involved after adoption. — Ryan Brennan april 16, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026

Verb

Meanwhile, local Church leaders hope the pope's visit will repair the Church's standing after a crushing 2021 report found that some 330,000 French children had been abused by Catholic clergy and lay leaders over seven decades. — Joshua McElwee, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026

At this point in TV history, audiences had grown jaded by the monster-of-the-week style that every show used and abused, wanting more depth to their programming. — Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 26 Sep. 2026