What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mauled
Example
The hiker was mauled by a bear and had to be airlifted to the hospital. [mauled: past tense]
Example
The package was mauled during shipping and arrived damaged. [mauled: verb]
Example
The movie was mauled by critics for its poor writing and acting. [mauled: past participle]
abuse
Example
She suffered years of abuse at the hands of her partner. [abuse: noun]
Example
He abused his prescription medication and became addicted. [abused: past tense]
Example
The politician was accused of abusing his power to influence the election. [abusing: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Abuse is more commonly used than mauled in everyday language. Abuse is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while mauled is less common and refers to a specific type of violent attack.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mauled and abuse?
While mauled is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, abuse can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
