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

Derived Forms

• ˌmisˈtreatment, noun

Other Words From

• mis·treat·ment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of mistreat¹

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

Example Sentences

In an ongoing investigation, ProPublica has detailed how NYPD officers who’ve mistreated civilians have escaped significant punishment and even been promoted to top positions, while commissioners have often dismissed proposed penalties for officers.

From ProPublica

The unverified claims in the podcast fueled speculation among fans that Spears was being mistreated, prompting an April 2019 public demonstration in Los Angeles where protestors demanded her release from the treatment facility.

From Time

The company had a reputation for mistreating workers and had been fined by the Labor Department for failing to report injuries.

From ProPublica

When large firms across industries have underpaid or mistreated workers, paid out bad actors, or failed to take a stand for what’s right, employee activists have increasingly pushed back, pressuring companies to do the right thing.

From Quartz

Barely a month earlier, Alex was part of a different house, one that no longer exists because its manager allegedly withheld money from and mistreated its members.

From Vox

That one human being has the capacity to so mistreat another is not news.

From The Daily Beast

Their fears were groundless for Paul would never let a dog go hungry or mistreat a human being.

From Project Gutenberg

It is one of our peculiarities that we like to mistreat anyone whose soul is differently organized from ours.

From Project Gutenberg

Of his return to Ohio and of an attempt by a mob to capture and mistreat him we have his account in the Trumpet of Nov. 1.

From Project Gutenberg

If you have cruel step-parents who mistreat you out of pure meanness, everybody sympathizes with you.

From Project Gutenberg

When they found he was not so bad off as they thought, the two other boys began to abuse and mistreat the stranger.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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