Synonyms of ill-treat

ill-treat

verb

ˈil-ˈtrēt 

as in to abuse

to inflict physical or emotional harm upon

anyone who ill-treats their pets should not be allowed to have any

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abuse
• mistreat
• maltreat
• bully
• torture
• injure
• ill-use
• oppress
• brutalize
• manhandle
• misuse
• take apart
• violate
• persecute
• hurt
• mishandle
• molest
• harass
• mess over
• torment
• harm
• outrage
• kick around
• victimize
• wrong
• work (over)
• beat (up)
• rough (up)
• sandbag
• burn
• mess (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• care (for)
• foster
• nurture
• cherish
• baby
• gratify
• indulge
• spoil
• favor
• cater (to)
• pamper
• coddle
• mollycoddle
• humor

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of ill-treat

Declarants describe detentions following their civil immigration arrests that deprived them of basic human dignity, including being ill-treated, with inadequate food and uncomfortable and crowded sleeping facilities, and being denied medical attention. — New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025

But that shouldn’t, in my mind, make an excuse for ill-treating a patient. — Jessica Schreifels, ProPublica, 26 Sep. 2025

There is a troubling suggestion of abuse, implying that Jack might have been ill-treated by his mom (and saved by Helen), rather than heartlessly abandoned. — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025