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

There have also been multiple cases of ALPR errors leading to wrongful police stops or instances of the technology being abused, according to a recent CBS News investigation. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

Republicans at the hearing sought to portray Smith as a partisan who abused his authority to target Republicans. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2026