maltreat

verb

mal·​treat ˌmal-ˈtrēt How to pronounce maltreat (audio)
maltreated; maltreating; maltreats
Synonyms of maltreatnext

transitive verb

: to treat cruelly or roughly : abuse
maltreater
ˌmal-ˈtrē-tər How to pronounce maltreat (audio)
noun
maltreatment
ˌmal-ˈtrēt-mənt How to pronounce maltreat (audio)
noun

Synonyms

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Examples of maltreat in a Sentence

a manager fired for maltreating the staff with needless insults if you maltreat the puppy, we will take it away immediately
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Lie number 2: Israel has been oppressing and maltreating Palestinians (and denying them a state) for 75 years. — Efrem Sigel, New York Daily News, 25 Jan. 2024 In 2022, the World Health Organization estimated that 1 billion children were maltreated each year around the globe. — Marc D. Hauser, TIME, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

partial translation of French maltraiter, from Middle French, from mal- + traiter to treat, from Old French traitier — more at treat entry 1

First Known Use

1708, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of maltreat was in 1708

Rhymes for maltreat

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Browse Nearby Words

maltreat
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Cite this Entry

“Maltreat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maltreat. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

maltreat

verb
mal·​treat (ˈ)mal-ˈtrēt How to pronounce maltreat (audio)
: to treat unkindly or roughly : abuse
maltreatment
-mənt How to pronounce maltreat (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on maltreat

Nglish: Translation of maltreat for Spanish Speakers

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