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 The lawsuit isn’t the first to accuse Ye of mistreating a fellow musician. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2026 In their July 30 letter, lawmakers noted that there have been at least 15 incidents since 2023 involving staff physically mistreating children at the Morgantown facility, as documented by Pennsylvania state inspectors. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026 Detectives said Beemer claimed his mother had mistreated him for years, including molesting him. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for mistreat

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistreat

Verb

The scandal led to Paterno’s firing, and the university paid more than $100 million to people who said they were abused by Sandusky.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
Some critics report being verbally abused, doxxed, and even threatened with rape and death by BJP supporters.

— Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of abuse

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