as in maltreated
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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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in attacked
to criticize harshly and usually publicly
a demanding, difficult patient who constantly abuses the nurses and aides
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abused
Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026
This trashy horror-thriller centers on an abused boy (Max Thieriot) who grows up to wreak havoc on a suburban town and the teenager (Lawrence) who cares about him.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2025
Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
The Baltimore Archdiocese filed for bankruptcy after Maryland's Attorney General in 2023 found that more than 600 children were abused under the church's supervision.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abused
Adjective
There’s Manny, Zitzs and EZ, who has a way with the girls; Izzy, an abused boy who hides his family’s secrets, and Gloria, as good at sports as the boys and so fierce nobody teases her little sister about her stutter.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026
This trashy horror-thriller centers on an abused boy (Max Thieriot) who grows up to wreak havoc on a suburban town and the teenager (Lawrence) who cares about him.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
When witnesses are abused and defamed simply for doing their civic duty, their lives are shattered and our entire justice system is put at risk.
—Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 16 Apr. 2026
The Baltimore Archdiocese filed for bankruptcy after Maryland's Attorney General in 2023 found that more than 600 children were abused under the church's supervision.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abused
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abused
Verb
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Their daughter was bullied by fake nude images at school.—
Bethany Bruner,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2026
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Family believes others may be involved Relatives say Marcus went to the home simply to visit a friend – and that he had been bullied and threatened in the days leading up to the shooting.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Police on Friday closed Kensington Gardens, a central London park visited by thousands of tourists and local residents every day, after a group that Israel has linked to Iran posted a video claiming Israel’s nearby London embassy was going to be attacked with drones carrying dangerous substances.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
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The rabbi of Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow, northwest London, which was attacked by arsonists over the weekend, took to social media on Sunday to show members of his congregation gathering in his home to pray.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In February, conservative filmmaker Joel Gilbert filed a complaint to the Federal Elections Committee alleging Swalwell misused campaign finance funds on child care for his three children.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
16 Apr. 2026
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The affidavit also alleges that, during his role as chief, Cantrell misused official information to conduct criminal searches on people involved in a lawsuit with Ashley Ketcherside, including a public official.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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He’s beaten by thugs with a crowbar for an unfortunate outburst, exploited by neighbors in the council estate and arrested, all because people don’t understand Tourette syndrome.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
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With that growth, gaps in oversight have been exploited by a small number of bad actors delivering substandard, and in many cases no, care.—
Tom Koutsoumpas,
Oc Register,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The kidnappers didn’t care and tortured the family with 2 notes knowing the FBI would not recommend paying a ransom without proof of life.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
22 Apr. 2026
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In July 2013, Anderson and Walker were found bound, gagged, tortured and shot to death in Anderson’s home, according to police.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Celtics center Neemias Queta slammed home a driving one-handed dunk on the next possession.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
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The container struck Duprey, who lost control of the scooter, slammed into a tree and crashed onto the pavement.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Constitution has been perverted in ways by administrations on both sides of the aisle to facilitate military action.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Feb. 2026
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Organized sports can easily be perverted.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Henry Kissinger used that argument to explain why academic feuds are so bitter.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Apr. 2026
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Copper wiring, which was used for communications for decades, is one of the first things being replaced.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abused.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abused. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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