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
Do you suppose that Herr Rossel, or the baron, or I myself, would suffer any one to ill-treat our little Zenz?
From In Paradise A Novel. Vol. II by Paul Heyse
"You can ill-treat him sufficiently without my assistance," said Mrs. Mellen, smiling; "I shall not help you, certainly."
From A Noble Woman by Ann S. (Ann Sophia) Stephens
If he were to ill-treat her, or at some future time were to regret having married into our family, my wife and I would be inconsolable.
From The Chinese Fairy Book by Richard Wilhelm
Oh, if they ill-treat you," cried the little one warmly, "only call Tausdorf to your help, he'll soon send them about their business!
From Specimens of German Romance Vol. I. The Patricians by Carl Franz van der Velde
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.
