ABUSED

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does abused mean? 

• ABUSED (adjective)
  The adjective ABUSED has 2 senses:

1. used improperly or excessively especially drugs

2. subjected to cruel treatment

  Familiarity information: ABUSED used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ABUSED (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Used improperly or excessively especially drugs

Context example:

an abused substance

Similar:

misused (used incorrectly or carelessly or for an improper purpose)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Subjected to cruel treatment

Synonyms:

abused; ill-treated; maltreated; mistreated

Context example:

an abused wife

Similar:

battered (exhibiting symptoms resulting from repeated physical and emotional injury)

Antonym:

unabused (not physically abused; treated properly)

 Context examples 

When misused or abused, opioid pain relievers can be addictive and dangerous.

(Designing more effective opioids, NIH)

A drug or other substance that is tightly controlled by the government because it may be abused or cause addiction.

(Controlled substance, NCI Dictionary)

These agents are commonly abused psychostimulant drugs that induce psychologic dependence manifested by elevated mood, increased wakefulness, concentration, physical performance and a feeling of well-being.

(Dextroamphetamine-amphetamine, NCI Thesaurus)

This can be abused to steal sensitive information such as credit card numbers, passwords, chat messages, emails, photos and so on.

(Digital security researchers publicly reveal vulnerability in WPA2 WiFi protocol, Wikinews)

A syndrome which occurs following withdrawal of an abused substance.

(Abstinence Syndrome, NCI Thesaurus)

Most abused children suffer greater emotional than physical damage.

(Child Abuse, NIH)

This agent is a commonly abused psychostimulant drug, which may be snorted, taken orally, smoked, or injected.

(Amphetamine, NCI Thesaurus)

I do not hold one natural gift, I dare say, that I have not abused.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

The Admiral abused him for his want of gallantry.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

But she was not at all sorry that she had abused the housekeeper the other day.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)