To save this word, you'll need to log in.
\ ˈil-ˈtrēt 
\
\ill-treated; ill-treating; ill-treats
Definition of ill-treat
: to treat cruelly or improperly : maltreat
Keep scrolling for more
Other Words from ill-treat
ill-treatment \ ˈil-ˈtrēt-mənt \ noun
\ nounSynonyms for ill-treat
Synonyms
- abuse,
- brutalize,
- bully,
- ill-use,
- kick around,
- maltreat,
- manhandle,
- mess over
- [slang],
- mishandle,
- mistreat,
- misuse
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on ill-treat
What made you want to look up ill-treat? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
May 2020 Words of the Day Quiz
- Which is a synonym of exiguous?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share ill-treat
Time Traveler for ill-treat
The first known use of ill-treat was in 1689
See more words from the same year