ill-treat

verb

ˈil-ˈtrēt How to pronounce ill-treat (audio)
Definition of ill-treatnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill-treat
  1. abuse
  2. mistreat
  3. maltreat
  4. bully
  5. torture
Verb
  • The charges come with additional special allegations, around the victim’s vulnerability and that Tapia abused a trustworthy position.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Early American corporate charters, after all, were granted for limited public purposes and could be revoked when abused.
    — Christopher Marquis, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of abuse
Verb
  • Of course, parents should intervene when a coach is abusive or a child is genuinely being mistreated.
    — Jonathan Alpert OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Neighbors said the man began kicking and mistreating the dog before eventually luring the husky away from the yard with food.
    — Hunter Sowards, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of mistreat
Verb
  • Dependency courts most often involve children who have been removed from parents because they were neglected, abandoned or maltreated.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 June 2026
  • There are bosses in companies that maltreat their workers globally.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Definition of maltreat
Verb
  • As recess is one of the most active places for bullying to take place, Rhea wanted to counteract that trend.
    — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Washington should project vision and leadership to its friends, not jarring uncertainty and bullying transactionalism.
    — Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of bully
Verb
  • His underlings kidnapped and tortured a dealer who refused to pay, the indictment said.
    — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The organization advocating on his behalf said Gilman had been tortured in Russian detention.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of torture

Browse Nearby Words

ill-tempered
ill-treat
ill-treated
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Cite this Entry

“Ill-treat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill-treat. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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