mistreat

[mis-treet]

verb (used with object)

1. to treat badly or abusively.

   Synonyms: wrong, misuse, ill-treat, maltreat

mistreat

/ ˌmɪsˈtriːt /

verb

1. (tr) to treat badly

Other Word Forms

• mistreatment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of mistreat¹

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

Example Sentences

Yet abuse and exploitation in the fields are commonplace, according to the mother, who said that workers are mistreated because employers know they won’t be caught.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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."

Read more on BBC

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

Read more on 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.

Read more on Barron's

One report, published this summer by the office of Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia, identified 14 credible cases of pregnant women being mistreated in detention facilities.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• abuse 
• brutalize 
• harm 
• maltreat 
• maul 
• misuse 
• molest 
• rough up