Synonyms

mistreat

American

[mis-treet] / mɪsˈtrit /

verb (used with object)

to treat badly or abusively.

Synonyms:

wrong, misuse, ill-treat, maltreat

mistreat British

/ ˌmɪsˈtriːt /

verb

(tr) to treat badly

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

mistreatment noun

Etymology

Origin of mistreat

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English mistreten; mis- ¹, treat

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.

At the time, Sir Keir wrote: "When a UK national has been so gravely mistreated, with no legal basis, the UK government must act decisively to negotiate their release."

From BBC

Zambian union leaders said Chinese managers pay poorly and mistreat workers.

From The Wall Street Journal

Speaking to AFP, following his more than seven weeks in detention in the town of Ussuriisk, Sehili sounded upbeat, saying he was not mistreated and that his experience helped him learn about the Russian people.

From Barron's

She said she hadn’t heard or seen students ever being mistreated at the school.

From Los Angeles Times

It also once again rejected as "fake news" accusations that the activists were mistreated and denied basic rights while in detention.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023