1
as in to abuse
to inflict physical or emotional harm upon
a manager fired for maltreating the staff with needless insults a home for children who have been deprived and maltreated
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to attack
to abuse physically
if you maltreat the puppy, we will take it away immediately
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of maltreat
There are bosses in companies that maltreat their workers globally.
—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Canadian researchers found that older adults who were maltreated as children may face a significantly higher risk of cancer decades later.
—
Rob Williams,
EverydayHealth.com,
22 Apr. 2026
The Adams County Health and Human Services Department’s initial assessment indicated that the infant was maltreated, though a final autopsy report is still pending, TMZ reported.
—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
9 Mar. 2026
Social media can’t replace offline resources for children who are being maltreated.
—
Laura Schwab Reese,
The Conversation,
2 Sep. 2025
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Canadian researchers found that older adults who were maltreated as children may face a significantly higher risk of cancer decades later.
—
Rob Williams,
EverydayHealth.com,
22 Apr. 2026
The Adams County Health and Human Services Department’s initial assessment indicated that the infant was maltreated, though a final autopsy report is still pending, TMZ reported.
—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
9 Mar. 2026
Social media can’t replace offline resources for children who are being maltreated.
—
Laura Schwab Reese,
The Conversation,
2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maltreat
Verb
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One video advertises access to a longer clip of a boy toddler being abused for less than three dollars.
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Christina alleged that Joan physically and emotionally abused her and Christopher in her best-selling 1978 memoir, Mommie Dearest, which was adapted for the 1981 film that starred Faye Dunaway.
Verb
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He is accused of attacking a 27-year-old man with a beer mug inside the Hula Bar on Saturday night.
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Liv Morgan controversially interrupted Iyo Sky's coronation, attacking her and forcing a tap-out.
Verb
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Platner is also an unfaithful spouse who mistreats women.
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One example would be laws prohibiting humans from mistreating AIs psychologically or physically.
Verb
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During this stretch, the Colts will face three AFC opponents, including the Steelers, who manhandled them last year and forced Jones to commit a career-high five turnovers in a loss.
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Those ramped up after Ottawa was completely manhandled by the Canes, and never held the lead at any point in the series.
Verb
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This was a rabid, partisan home-soil advantage that flat-out bullied the squad into surviving.
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They got bullied in that one, showing a tremendous lack of physicality.
Verb
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Chris Brown was found liable by a Los Angeles jury on Tuesday for $13 million in the gruesome case of a dog that mauled and disfigured his housekeeper at his home in 2020.
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Back in the ring, Oba mauled Jey as the Kingdom Arena began rumbling again.
Verb
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In the suit, Ibrahim alleges that he was lured to the gym under the pretense of a challenge and was ambushed by Watson, a co-owner of the gym and two other men.
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The facility hosts a memorial for past police horses and former Officer Tara O’Sullivan, who was ambushed and killed when responding to a domestic violence incident in 2019.
Verb
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The Jackson County charges came after police accused Sanchez-Munoz in a series of shootings in Kansas City that left one man, Jeremy Keenan, dead and four others injured on June 16.
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French and Ukrainian media reported that a Ukrainian magnate and his family were those injured.
Cite this Entry
“Maltreat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maltreat. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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