past and past participle
Treated a person or animal in a cruel or harmful way.
The caregiver abused the child for years.
The child was abused by a trusted adult.
American English
How to pronounce abused
verb · adjectiveB2Common word
uhbYOOZD
/əbˈjuzd̚/
2 syllables · Stress the second syllable.
Form of abuse
Abused is both the past form and the past participle of abuse. It is also often used as an adjective before a noun.
Treated a person or animal in a cruel or harmful way.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
past participle used as an adjective
Describes a person or animal that has been treated cruelly or harmed.
The abused child received medical care.
The shelter gives abused animals a safe place.
past and past participle
Used a power, right, position, or system in a wrong or harmful way.
The official abused his authority.
The legal system was abused for personal gain.
past and past participle
Used alcohol or drugs too much or in a harmful way.
He abused alcohol for many years.
She had abused prescription drugs before entering treatment.
Useful expressions
Cruel or harmful treatment of a child.
The law protects children from child abuse.
Insulting or aggressive words used to hurt someone.
She left the job because of the verbal abuse.
The use of power in a harmful or unfair way.
The report described an abuse of power.
Related words & forms
For the verb, drop the final e before -ing: abusing, not abuseing.