ill-treat

[ il-treet ]

verb (used with object)

1. to treat badly; maltreat; abuse.

ill-treat

verb

1. tr to behave cruelly or harshly towards; misuse; maltreat

Derived Forms

• ˌill-ˈtreatment, noun

Other Words From

• ill-treatment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ill-treat¹

First recorded in 1695–1705

Example Sentences

You can't ill-treat a woman; you can't damage her features and knock her teeth out.

From Project Gutenberg

Although this proclamation was made, yet the people did not cease to ill treat us, and cry after us, as we went along.

From Project Gutenberg

She was an angel, Sanders went about whining when he had no longer a woman to ill-treat.

From Project Gutenberg

He begged them not to ill-treat a friendless boy; but to let him return176 home in safety.

From Project Gutenberg

The 'prentices now began to insult and ill-treat them as they passed along the street, and several fled from the city.

From Project Gutenberg