ill-use

verb

ˈil-ˈyüz 

ill-used; ill-using; ill-uses

transitive verb

: to use badly : maltreat, abuse

Synonyms

• abuse
• brutalize
• bully
• ill-treat
• kick around
• maltreat
• manhandle
• mess over [slang]
• mishandle
• mistreat
• misuse

Examples of ill-use in a Sentence

some of the employees felt so ill-used by the new manager that they quit

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ill-use

verb

ˈil-ˈyüz

: ill-treat, maltreat

ill-usage

-ˈyü-sij

-ˈyü-zij

noun