ill-use

verb

ˈil-ˈyüz How to pronounce ill-use (audio)
Definition of ill-usenext
as in to abuse
to inflict physical or emotional harm upon some of the employees felt so ill-used by the new manager that they quit

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill-use
  1. abuse
  2. bully
Verb
  • Her father is much more laid-back and won’t abuse the privilege.
    — Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • That’s fine and good, but whenever police agencies have intrusive tools, some officers will abuse them.
    — Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of abuse
Verb
  • For over two years, a 16-year-old transgender girl says she was bullied, excluded and discriminated against by her teammates and coaches at the Capital Crew youth rowing program housed at the Sacramento State Aquatic Center.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • These numbers do not mean every disagreement counts as bullying.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of bully
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

ill-usages
ill-use
ill-used
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Cite this Entry

“Ill-use.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill-use. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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