The Clue
Maltreated (6 letter answer)
The Answer
ABUSED
Tags
Notes
The answer ABUSED is seen occasionally, appearing about once every 650 puzzles.
Related Clues
Downtrodden
Mistreated
Reviled
Vilified
Vituperated
Kicked about
Treated badly
Treated shabbily
Was addicted to
Definition
ABUSE as a verb:
1. (mistreat, maltreat, abuse, ill-use, step, ill-treat) = treat badly; "This boss abuses his workers"; "She is always stepping on others to get ahead"
2. (pervert, misuse, abuse) = change the inherent purpose or function of something; "Don't abuse the system"; "The director of the factory misused the funds intended for the health care of his workers"
3. (abuse, clapperclaw, blackguard, shout) = use foul or abusive language towards; "The actress abused the policeman who gave her a parking ticket"; "The angry mother shouted at the teacher"
4. use wrongly or improperly or excessively; "Her husband often abuses alcohol"; "while she was pregnant, she abused drugs"
ABUSED as an adjective:
1. used improperly or excessively especially drugs; "an abused substance"
2. (abused, ill-treated, maltreated, mistreated) = subjected to cruel treatment; "an abused wife"