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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of maltreat
One to One concert the duo organized as a response to Geraldo Rivera’s truly shocking exposé of the Willowbrook institution, where children with disabilities were horrifically maltreated and abused.
—
Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
Even the first stage of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine - on the pretext of protecting Russian speakers being maltreated - parallels Hitler’s sending shock troops into Czechoslovakia to purportedly safeguard German speakers along the Czech borderlands.
—Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
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
The revelations come after years of intense scrutiny of Texas’ child welfare system, which included reports by blue-ribbon panels, a state district judge in Travis County and a state comptroller citing weak protection of youngsters maltreated by birth families and then roughly handled by the state.
—Allie Morris, Dallas News, 30 June 2023
The family is where you are first misjudged, maltreated, belittled, lied to and beaten—or not.
—Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 6 June 2023
Coincidentally, a landmark incident that led to the death of a Nigerian happened in 2009 in Guangzhou, where Nigerians were recently maltreated.
—Abdul-Gafar Tobi Oshodi, Quartz Africa, 31 May 2020
Youngsters who live in neighborhoods with more bars or liquor stores are more likely to be maltreated.
—Kunmi Sobowale, Scientific American, 1 July 2017
Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
Even the first stage of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine - on the pretext of protecting Russian speakers being maltreated - parallels Hitler’s sending shock troops into Czechoslovakia to purportedly safeguard German speakers along the Czech borderlands.
—Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
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
The revelations come after years of intense scrutiny of Texas’ child welfare system, which included reports by blue-ribbon panels, a state district judge in Travis County and a state comptroller citing weak protection of youngsters maltreated by birth families and then roughly handled by the state.
—Allie Morris, Dallas News, 30 June 2023
The family is where you are first misjudged, maltreated, belittled, lied to and beaten—or not.
—Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 6 June 2023
Coincidentally, a landmark incident that led to the death of a Nigerian happened in 2009 in Guangzhou, where Nigerians were recently maltreated.
—Abdul-Gafar Tobi Oshodi, Quartz Africa, 31 May 2020
Youngsters who live in neighborhoods with more bars or liquor stores are more likely to be maltreated.
—Kunmi Sobowale, Scientific American, 1 July 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maltreat
Verb
-
After the show premiered, actress Amber Dixon Brenner alleged in a lawsuit that Akil’s husband, Salim, had abused her over the course of their previously unknown, decade-long extramarital affair.—
Jazmine Hughes,
Vulture,
2 May 2025
-
In an August 2020 filing, Sura, said Abrego Garcia had kicked and slapped her, as well as verbally abused her.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
Verb
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An adult son had attacked his mother with a machete and ran to a nearby house, according to police.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 May 2025
-
While in federal prison, according to the Bureau of Prisons, Stroud attacked another inmate, resulting in his transfer to USP Leavenworth.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2025
Verb
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Like in Good American Family, Michael said he was manipulated and mistreated by Kristine.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
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After clashing with his first commissioner, Mark G. Peters, Mr. de Blasio fired him, citing a report by an independent investigator that said Mr. Peters had abused his power and mistreated subordinates.—
Jan Ransom,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Grant manhandled weaker offensive linemen in college, but there are concerns about his game translating to the NFL.—
Arick Wierson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Brito looked completely out of his depth as he was manhandled en route to a lopsided loss.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
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There’s a lesson in that for anyone who chafes at Trump’s bullying tactics.—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
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Topics covered include anxiety, depression, eating disorders, bullying and more, the release said.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2025
Verb
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Deadly dog mauling Kansas City Police officers responded around 9:30 p.m. Nov. 2, 2024, to the Marlborough East neighborhood for a call about an animal bite incident.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
18 Apr. 2025
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Marshall Garrett, 38, is facing charges in the death of Harriette Phillips, who investigators say was fatally mauled at her Houston home by three Staffordshire mix dogs belonging to Garrett, according to court records filed April 9 in Harris County.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Apr. 2025
Verb
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After years of lawsuits and courtroom drama, director Joel Souza (who was also injured in the incident) finished the movie (now in theaters and on demand).—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
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The children who were injured in the attack are in the hospital in a stable condition, according to the police report.—
Latoya Gayle,
People.com,
2 May 2025
Verb
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While Rodríguez gave up one run in the first inning after a leadoff double from Ohtani, Sasaki was ambushed for three.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2025
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In Game 2, the Tigers ambushed right-hander Tanner Gordon for six runs on seven hits in the third inning, the biggest blow, a three-run double by Gleyber Torres.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Maltreat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maltreat. Accessed 14 May. 2025.
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