ill-treat
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of ill-treat
First recorded in 1695–1705
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.
In these quotations, to vanquish foes and destroy enemies does not mean to ill-treat others in any way, or even to seek victory over them in a traditional sense.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 11, 2019
The Cayugas knew me as a belt-bearer from Sir William; they could not ill-treat me.
From Cardigan by Chambers, Robert W. (Robert William)
They seem to live on familiar terms with the people about them when they treat them well, to punish them when they ill-treat them....
From Ulster Folklore by Andrews, Elizabeth
No, she cried often.—Did his lordship ever ill-treat her?
From Who? by Kent, Elizabeth
They made common cause in all quarrels and disputes, and to ill-treat one was to ill-treat both.
From Harper's Round Table, September 10, 1895 by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
