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

But, as the attorney general’s Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control told lawmakers in December 2025, billing increased by $40 million for other services that experts warned were being abused. — Alex Acquisto, ProPublica, 30 July 2026

Catherine is panicked about this situation, but like Nora said in the premiere episode, abused girls tragically often return to the men who have hurt them. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 July 2026