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 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

Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor While wandering in the West Virginia hills, 11-year-old Marty finds an abused beagle, who immediately takes a shine to him. — Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026

Verb

Prosecutor Corneles Geeb Paulus Heydemans said judges found that Makarim had abused his authority and caused losses to the state. — Chandra Asmara, Fortune, 30 June 2026

Bianca Graham, 30, of Astoria, abused her position at the Blythebourne Post Office in Borough Park to make some extra cash at the expense of 13 victims between August 2024 and August 2025, prosecutors say. — John Annese, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026