Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb ill-use

1 sense of ill-use

Sense 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")
       => treat, handle, do by -- (interact in a certain way; "Do right by her"; "Treat him with caution, please"; "Handle the press reporters gently")

Antonyms of adj ill-used

1 sense of ill-used

Sense 1
exploited, ill-used, put-upon, used, victimized, victimised -- (of persons; taken advantage of; "after going out of his way to help his friend get the job he felt not appreciated but used")

INDIRECT (VIA misused) -> used -- (employed in accomplishing something; "the principle of surprise is the most used and misused of all the principles of war"- H.H.Arnold & I.C.Eaker)

Similarity of adj ill-used

1 sense of ill-used

Sense 1
exploited, ill-used, put-upon, used, victimized, victimised -- (of persons; taken advantage of; "after going out of his way to help his friend get the job he felt not appreciated but used")
       => misused (vs. used) -- (used incorrectly or carelessly or for an improper purpose; "misused words are often laughable but one weeps for misused talents")