MISTREAT Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

mistreat

verb

ˌmis-ˈtrēt

Definition of mistreat

as in to abuse

to inflict physical or emotional harm upon the foster parent who had been mistreating his charges was sent to jail

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 mistreat For months, Democratic members of Congress and several advocacy organizations have called for Camp East Montana to be closed, citing reports that detainees have been routinely mistreated since its opening in August 2025. — Ryan J. Foley, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026 Bitter irony abounds, as when Nora, who is Black, attends a workplace mental health seminar in which a white, male supervisor who once mistreated her pretends to care about employees’ trauma. — Judy Berman, Time, 27 July 2026 But the suits allege that while these three students were at the school, staff did not protect them or prevent them from being mistreated. — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026 In June, Hilton returned to the Provo Canyon School to support two families who filed lawsuits alleging that their children were mistreated at the school. — ABC News, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for mistreat

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistreat

Verb

Her father is much more laid-back and won’t abuse the privilege.

— Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026
That’s fine and good, but whenever police agencies have intrusive tools, some officers will abuse them.

— Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of abuse

Verb

For over two years, a 16-year-old transgender girl says she was bullied, excluded and discriminated against by her teammates and coaches at the Capital Crew youth rowing program housed at the Sacramento State Aquatic Center.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2026
These numbers do not mean every disagreement counts as bullying.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of bully

Verb

And women, being oppressed in that way in that realm, have been able nonetheless to engage with the more emotional maturity.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026
Claiming that other people expressing their civil rights is oppressing them, and politicizing what are supposed to be non-partisan parts of how the government works on the state and federal level.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026