maltreat

[ mal-treet ]

verb (used with object)

1. to treat or handle badly, cruelly, or roughly; abuse:

   to maltreat a prisoner.

   Synonyms: injure, mistreat

maltreat

/ mælˈtriːt /

verb

1. tr to treat badly, cruelly, or inconsiderately

Derived Forms

• malˈtreatment, noun
• malˈtreater, noun

Other Words From

• mal·treat·er noun
• mal·treat·ment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of maltreat¹

First recorded in 1700–10; earlier maltrait, from French maltraiter; mal-, treat

Word History and Origins

Origin of maltreat¹

C18: from French maltraiter

Example Sentences

Bosses and colleagues who maltreat subordinates with ridicule or lack of consideration are as common as the companies who protect them.

From Salon

The indictment listed no particulars about the charge beyond the criminal statute definition of child abuse to "willfully torture, willfully abuse, cruelly beat or otherwise willfully maltreat" a child under the age of 18 years.

From Fox News

The indictment listed no particulars about the charge beyond the criminal statute definition of child abuse to “willfully torture, willfully abuse, cruelly beat or otherwise willfully maltreat” a child under the age of 18 years.

From Washington Times

The indictment listed no particulars about the charge beyond the criminal statute definition of child abuse to “willfully torture, willfully abuse, cruelly beat or otherwise willfully maltreat” a child under the age of 18 years.

From Seattle Times

Amanda Gorman, the poet who rose to global fame when she performed at President Biden’s inauguration, wrote: “Meghan was the Crown’s greatest opportunity for change, regeneration, and reconciliation in a new era. They didn’t just maltreat her light--they missed out on it.”

From Washington Post

Related Words

• victimize