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mistreat

[mis-treet]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR mistreat ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to treat badly or abusively.

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RELATED WORDS

maltreatment, exploitation, misdeed, injustice, wrongdoing, misuse, misconduct, corruption, desecration, misapplication, fault, prostitution, crime, wrong, perversion, debasement, offense, delinquency, sin, mishandling

Origin of mistreat

First recorded in 1425–75, mistreat is from the late Middle English word mistreten. See mis-1, treat
Related formsmis·treat·ment, noun
Can be confusedmaltreatment mistreatment

Synonyms for mistreat

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR mistreat ON THESAURUS.COM
maltreat, ill-treat, misuse, wrong.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for mistreatment

mistreat

verb

(tr) to treat badly
Derived Formsmistreatment, noun
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
Word Origin and History for mistreatment
n.

1716, from mistreat + -ment.

mistreat

v.

mid-15c.; see mis- (1) + treat (v.). Related: Mistreated; mistreating.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper