maltreat

verb
UK: /mælˈtriːt/
US: /mælˈtriːt/

  1. To treat someone badly or cruelly.

    1. Don't maltreat your dog.
    2. It is wrong to maltreat any animal, regardless of its species or breed.

  2. To handle roughly or abuse, either physically or emotionally.

    1. They maltreat prisoners.
    2. The report detailed how some children were maltreated within the foster care system.

Synonyms

harm mistreat injure ill-treat abuse
maltreat noun

  1. The act of treating someone badly or cruelly.

    1. Maltreat is wrong.
    2. We fight against maltreat within the judicial system to ensure justice.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "maltreat" in English means: To treat someone badly or cruelly., To handle roughly or abuse, either physically or emotionally..

The phonetic transcription of "maltreat" is /mælˈtriːt/ in British English and /mælˈtriːt/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "maltreat": harm, mistreat, injure, ill-treat, abuse.

Example usage of "maltreat": "Don't maltreat your dog.". More examples on the page.