View synonyms for put-upon

put-upon

[ poot-uh-pon, -pawn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

put upon

to presume on (a person's generosity, good nature, etc); take advantage of
he's always being put upon
to impose hardship on; maltreat

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First recorded in 1915–20

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I was also jealous of John to be able to play the put-upon underdog character.

The only malevolent presence in the house that night was a gang of snickering boys and one put-upon girlfriend.

Hand it off to a hen-pecked husband or a put-upon assistant and it can demean or belittle.

Listen to their put-upon groans when they have to go out on the field to sign autographs during fan appreciation day.

Reality TV has seen its fair share of put-upon husbands—Steady Eddies anchoring erratic celebrity spouses.

Let them open their minds to us, let them put upon permanent record the significance of all their intrigues and manœuvres.

Before the spinet a bench was placed about four feet below the keys, and I was put upon the bench.

The mother's lips could not finish the charge she was about to put upon her innocent child.

I don't want ter see ennybody put upon, nor noways sufferin', ef so be's I kin help; but thet ain't ennythin' stronary, ez I know.

And the finger he pointed at the girl quivered with the rage that filled him at this trick they had thought to put upon him.

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