treated; treating; treats
1
2
a
: to bear oneself toward : use
treat a horse cruelly
b
: to regard and deal with in a specified manner
—usually used with as
treat the matter as confidential
3
a
: to provide with free food, drink, or entertainment
they treated us to lunch
b
: to provide with enjoyment or gratification
4
: to care for or deal with medically or surgically
treat a disease
5
: to act upon with some agent especially to improve or alter
treat a metal with acid
1
: to pay another's expenses (as for a meal or drink) especially as a compliment or as an expression of regard or friendship
2
: to discuss terms of accommodation or settlement : negotiate
3
: to deal with a matter especially in writing : discourse
—usually used with of
a book treating of conservation
treater
noun
1
a
: the act of providing another with free food, drink, or entertainment
dinner will be my treat
b
: an entertainment given without expense to those invited
2
: an especially unexpected source of joy, delight, or amusement
seeing her again was a treat
Synonyms
Examples of treat in a Sentence
Verb
The author treats this issue in the next chapter.
This situation must be treated with great care.
I try to treat everyone equally.
She treats the horse cruelly.
They treated me like a member of their family.
I was treated like a queen.
My parents still treat me like a child.
Try to treat everyone as an equal.
Young people should always treat their elders with respect.
Let's go out to dinner. I'll treat.
Noun
We took the kids to the water park as a special treat.
cookies and other tasty treats
She rewarded the dog with a treat.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Enquirer, 16 Apr. 2024
One of the best parts of a new season is treating your closet to new wardrobe staples.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 16 Apr. 2024
As Jared’s childhood memory unfolds, we’re treated to scenes from the NCIS-verse’s past.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 16 Apr. 2024
By now, most of us have likely eaten, been treated by, or worn a product created with biotech.
—Eric Schmidt, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024
When American viewers flipped open the July 2, 1966, edition of TV Guide, they were treated to a bombshell story.
—Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2024
There are also ketamine infusion clinics that administer smaller doses of ketamine to treat depression.
—Dylan Wickman, The Arizona Republic, 4 Apr. 2024
Volunteers arranged for a grooming the same day and had the dog treated by a veterinarian within three days, in partnership with the Downriver Grooming Co. and Pound Pals Downriver.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 4 Apr. 2024
Two people were treated at the scene, and two others were taken to a local hospital, police said.
—Antonio Planas, NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024
Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2024
To shoulder the costs, chocolate companies are gearing up to further hike the price of their treats in the coming months.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2024
Of course, there will be plenty of treats on the flight.
—Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
Picture this: vibrant festival grounds buzzing with energy, the air alive with the sounds of laughter and music, and the scent of delicious treats tantalizing your senses.
—Branded Content Contributor, Orange County Register, 11 Apr. 2024
This West Village spot is tiny, with some indoor and outdoor seating, and its bright-red interior holds a display case filled with treats like very good sesame-miso chocolate chip cookies and hojicha chocolate cake.
—Nikita Richardson, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Activities and Experiences Part of the joy of Maroma is just settling into loungers on the beach and being spoiled by the sun and the incredible beach attendants, who swing by with treats such as fruit popsicles, avocado popcorn, and nuts with onion and lime.
—Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2024
The sweet treats start at 11 p.m. April 18 at the venue at 163 NW 25th St.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2024
The Orange Dreamy Creamy Scooped takes the fun level up a notch; the frozen treat is soft serve made with golden Oreos and orange marshmallows.
—Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
Verb
He was treated worse than an animal, forced to live in a basement closet -- unwanted, unloved, and denied the most basic of necessities.
—The Enquirer, 16 Apr. 2024
One of the best parts of a new season is treating your closet to new wardrobe staples.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 16 Apr. 2024
As Jared’s childhood memory unfolds, we’re treated to scenes from the NCIS-verse’s past.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 16 Apr. 2024
By now, most of us have likely eaten, been treated by, or worn a product created with biotech.
—Eric Schmidt, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024
When American viewers flipped open the July 2, 1966, edition of TV Guide, they were treated to a bombshell story.
—Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2024
There are also ketamine infusion clinics that administer smaller doses of ketamine to treat depression.
—Dylan Wickman, The Arizona Republic, 4 Apr. 2024
Volunteers arranged for a grooming the same day and had the dog treated by a veterinarian within three days, in partnership with the Downriver Grooming Co. and Pound Pals Downriver.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 4 Apr. 2024
Two people were treated at the scene, and two others were taken to a local hospital, police said.
—Antonio Planas, NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024
Noun
One downside: On our local 2024 Tax Day, June 17, it’s not known if any merchants will soften the blow with treats on that date as well.
—Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2024
To shoulder the costs, chocolate companies are gearing up to further hike the price of their treats in the coming months.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2024
Of course, there will be plenty of treats on the flight.
—Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
Picture this: vibrant festival grounds buzzing with energy, the air alive with the sounds of laughter and music, and the scent of delicious treats tantalizing your senses.
—Branded Content Contributor, Orange County Register, 11 Apr. 2024
This West Village spot is tiny, with some indoor and outdoor seating, and its bright-red interior holds a display case filled with treats like very good sesame-miso chocolate chip cookies and hojicha chocolate cake.
—Nikita Richardson, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024
Activities and Experiences Part of the joy of Maroma is just settling into loungers on the beach and being spoiled by the sun and the incredible beach attendants, who swing by with treats such as fruit popsicles, avocado popcorn, and nuts with onion and lime.
—Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 9 Apr. 2024
The sweet treats start at 11 p.m. April 18 at the venue at 163 NW 25th St.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2024
The Orange Dreamy Creamy Scooped takes the fun level up a notch; the frozen treat is soft serve made with golden Oreos and orange marshmallows.
—Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'treat.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Treat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/treat. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
treat
1 of 2 verb1
: to discuss terms of agreement with : negotiate
treat with the enemy
2
a
: to have as a subject especially in writing
a book treating of crime
b
: to deal with : handle
roses must be treated with care
3
a
: to pay for another's food or entertainment
I'm treating tonight
b
: to provide with free food, entertainment, or enjoyment
let me treat you with lunch
4
: to handle, use, or act toward in a usually stated way
treat a horse cruelly
treat this as top secret
5
: to give medical or surgical care to
treat a patient
treat a cold
6
: to subject to some action or process to bring about a desired result
treat a metal with acid
treat
2 of 2 noun1
: an entertainment given without expense to those invited
2
: a usually unexpected or unusual source of pleasure or amusement
Medical Definition
treat
transitive verb
: to care for or deal with medically or surgically : deal with by medical or surgical means
treated their diseases
treats a patient
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