as in abusing
to inflict physical or emotional harm upon
the foster parent who had been mistreating his charges was sent to jail
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Recent Examples of mistreating
Ridglan Farms, which was under investigation on allegations of mistreating its dogs, agreed to halt its breeding operation by July 1, meaning employees can no longer breed and sell beagles at the facility.
—
Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Israel has strongly denied allegations of mistreating the group.
—Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025
The facility has also faced allegations of mistreating prisoners.
—Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 2 Oct. 2025
Their family had accused the Taliban of mistreating the couple, and urged the government to explain why they had been detained.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Trump has alienated Brazil by defending its former president, charged with trying to overturn a legitimate election, and South Africa, accusing it of mistreating its White citizens.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Instead, scenes of life at the nunnery are interspersed with childhood memories, usually involving her mother assisting people in need or her classmates mistreating vulnerable children.
—Nathaniel Moore
september 10, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2025
John Amos‘ daughter has taken legal action against her brother with accusations of mistreating their father, which ultimately resulted in his death.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 30 Oct. 2025
Israel has strongly denied allegations of mistreating the group.
—Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025
The facility has also faced allegations of mistreating prisoners.
—Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 2 Oct. 2025
Their family had accused the Taliban of mistreating the couple, and urged the government to explain why they had been detained.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Trump has alienated Brazil by defending its former president, charged with trying to overturn a legitimate election, and South Africa, accusing it of mistreating its White citizens.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Instead, scenes of life at the nunnery are interspersed with childhood memories, usually involving her mother assisting people in need or her classmates mistreating vulnerable children.
—Nathaniel Moore
september 10, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2025
John Amos‘ daughter has taken legal action against her brother with accusations of mistreating their father, which ultimately resulted in his death.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistreating
Verb
-
The administration has been accused of trying to start a new war and abusing military power by foreign and domestic leaders.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
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In a complaint filed in 2023, Gannett and the other plaintiffs accused Google of violating federal antitrust laws by abusing its dominant position to control and profit from the technology used by publishers to buy and sell ads across the internet.—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Dahbia Benkired was convicted of raping, torturing and killing Lola Daviet, according the BBC, BFMTV and The New York Times.—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
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In another film with a less happy outcome, the woman who claims to be the amnesiac’s wife is an impostor who ends up torturing him.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The results are similar, with each former employee’s clique now bullying Robert in protest.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
30 Oct. 2025
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From social media bullying to suicide, mental health isn’t a side issue, though some people may feel that way.—
Kirsten Chuba,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mistreating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistreating. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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