put-upon

[poot-uh-pon, -pawn]

adjective

1. imposed upon; ill-used.

put upon

verb

1. to presume on (a person's generosity, good nature, etc); take advantage of

   he's always being put upon

2. to impose hardship on; maltreat

Word History and Origins

Origin of put-upon¹

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

She heard plenty from business owners and, especially, put-upon residents of red California, who griped about Sacramento and its seeming disconnection from their lives and livelihoods.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He’s as put-upon as the rest of us.

Read more on Salon

But however put-upon we may feel, our kids' failure to overtly and regularly praise us for our maternal virtues is nothing beside the societal lack of appreciation for some of the animal kingdom's great mothers.

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And he was definitely a star — billed over the adults who played his parents and perennially put-upon neighbor Mr. Wilson, memorably played by the great Joseph Kearns.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Taking these roles together, especially “Friendship” and “The Dutchman,” in one of them you’re this put-upon wife and the other one you’re this whirlwind, demonic vixen.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• afflict 
• annoy 
• beat down 
• harass 
• maltreat 
• overwhelm 
• persecute 
• pick on 
• prey on 
• subjugate 
• suppress 
• torment 
• torture 
• trample 
• vex