The phrase "abused authority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone in a position of power has misused their authority, often leading to negative consequences.
Example: "The investigation revealed that the manager had abused authority by making unfair demands on his employees."
Alternatives: "misused power" or "exploited authority".
Her goals are to find out whether a respondent believes that the officer in a vignette abused authority, used offensive language, behaved discourteously or applied undue force, and more importantly, exactly "what in the story convinces someone that it's over the top".
And what is power but the ability to act without interference, without being exploited or forced to jump through hoops and navigate the (often abused) authority of others.
Obviously many can't see the systemic effects of racism and abused authority.
The guard, Correction Officer Timothy Munroe of Brooklyn, abused his authority on at least three occasions, the city's Department of Investigation said.
Mr. Obama departed from his script at a health care event in California to try to reassure Americans that he had not abused government authority by collecting telephone call logs and foreigners' e-mail messages.
After Starling and companions filed complaints against Moore, the state's disciplinary board for judges removed Moore from power on May 7, charging he had "flagrantly disregarded and abused his authority" and "abandoned his role" as chief justice.
In a 32-page complaint, the commission said Moore had "flagrantly disregarded and abused his authority" and "abandoned his role as a neutral and detached chief administrator of the judicial system".
And presidents (including this one) have used, and often abused, executive authority when it comes to national security, often moving in secret.
Each cue – the wide-eyed guy telling you not to drink the water is a nice touch – smothers you in an oppressive world where people are regularly abused by authority.
One victim, Mrs. Sprung, was left naked in a living room chair, and she had been sexually abused, the authorities said.
At a time when human rights are being so blatantly and cruelly abused, her moral authority is surely of high enough standing that she could risk supporting an unpopular cause.
