ill-use
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"She did not ill-use me. Indeed, I do not believe that she ever knew that I was there at all. Is that not peculiar?"
From "Stardust" by Neil Gaiman
Sergeant Rahilly talked in a serious but vague way to everyone he met about the importance of treating Dr. Lovaway well, and the trouble which would follow any attempt to rob or ill-use him.
From Lady Bountiful by George A. Birmingham
His owner had hesitated for some time before he made up his mind to have a dog, as he had often seen dogs ill-use the poor sheep.
From St. Nicholas Magazine for Boys and Girls, Vol. 8, May 1878, No. 7. An Illustrated Magazine for Young Folks by Various
If they succeeded in taking him alive, they were not to ill-use him, but to show him every courtesy, and to secure his person in the most respectful manner possible.
From The Memoirs of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo, Vol 2 (of 2) Written by Himself Containing a True and Full Account of the Discovery and Conquest of Mexico and New Spain. by Bernal Díaz del Castillo
His sister Helen was manifestly kind to him, and would not permit any of the company to insult or ill-use him.
From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Vol. 9 by Various
The master of this animal never ill-uses him nor scolds him, and at feeding-time the dogs are always served before the men.
From The Travels of Marco Polo — Volume 2 by Henry Yule
You'll be good to him, and stand his friend, and teach him seafaring ways, and you'll see that nobody ill-uses him.
From The Sailor by J. C. Snaith
That is, except when he is rude, and ill-uses me, and will not come and apologize!’
From The Hand of Ethelberta by Thomas Hardy
Mr. Watts is too modest in his behaviour, and for that reason the young tyrant despises and ill-uses him.
From Athelstane Ford by Allen Upward
The very readable, if long and winding, “The Calamity Club” focuses on a crew of frequently ill-used, tough-minded white women.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 15, 2026
When he was onstage everyone cowered, even his wife, an ill-used April Daly, who tried hard with this sorrowful role.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 11, 2018
And actually serious party officials like Spicer were ill-used and degraded.
From US News ● Jul. 20, 2016
But as designed by Christine Jones, with phosphorescent lighting by Chahine Yavroyan, the stage is a spartan snowscape populated by tall, leafless trees that look as if they have been ill-used by humanity and nature.
From New York Times ● Jan. 25, 2015
Fjalar and Galar told people who passed their fortress the story of how ill-used they had been by Suttung.
From "Norse Mythology" by Neil Gaiman
They are become perfectly nauseous to read; the nation is surfeited of them, and the people begin to be tired with ill-using one another.
From An Answer to a Question that Nobody thinks of, viz., But what if the Queen should Die? by Daniel Defoe
When it came to Valetta Joe's turn, he stoutly denied the charge of defrauding and ill-using the lad.
From The Thin Red Line; and Blue Blood by Arthur Griffiths
“It’s only an excuse for ill-using the poor thing.”
From Dick o' the Fens A Tale of the Great East Swamp by George Manville Fenn
On one occasion, while out walking not far from his home, he encountered some men who were ill-using a fallen horse.
From George Borrow in East Anglia by William A. (William Alfred) Dutt
It seems that Mrs. Ruiz has some evidence which proves that the Spaniards were ill-using Dr. Ruiz.
From The Great Round World And What Is Going On In It, Vol. 1. No. 21, April 1, 1897 A Weekly Magazine for Boys and Girls by Julia Truitt Bishop
