as in abusing
to inflict physical or emotional harm upon
the foster parent who had been mistreating his charges was sent to jail
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 mistreating
Venezuela has also faced allegations of mistreating its political prisoners, in El Helicoide and elsewhere.
—
Uriel Blanco, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
Shatzman said her group’s complaint is the first time a federal judge has been accused of mistreating staff after being reprimanded following an earlier accusation.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 1 Jan. 2026
In its statement following his death, PETA accused Easley of mistreating the tigers under his care.
—Brian Brant, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025
Two of Parcells’ first moves upon taking over as Miami’s vice president of football operations was to run off Zach Thomas, and to trigger a lifelong beef with Jason Taylor, mistreating both Hall of Famers.
—Omar Kelly
november 4, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2025
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
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
Uriel Blanco, CNN Money, 8 Jan. 2026
Shatzman said her group’s complaint is the first time a federal judge has been accused of mistreating staff after being reprimanded following an earlier accusation.
—Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 1 Jan. 2026
In its statement following his death, PETA accused Easley of mistreating the tigers under his care.
—Brian Brant, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025
Two of Parcells’ first moves upon taking over as Miami’s vice president of football operations was to run off Zach Thomas, and to trigger a lifelong beef with Jason Taylor, mistreating both Hall of Famers.
—Omar Kelly
november 4, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistreating
Verb
-
Three people are awaiting trial on charges of physically and psychologically abusing the victim, now 17.—
Rafael Olmeda,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
-
He was arraigned three months later on charges of repeatedly abusing the child.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Yorgos Lanthimos, Florian Zeller and Juliette Binoche are among more than 800 film professionals who have signed a joint statement condemning the Iranian government for killing and torturing its own people.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Dan Bujor, who lives out of a school bus parked in Long Island City, was arrested Sunday on charges including overdriving animals, torturing and injuring animals and failure to provide sustenance, in addition to driving without a license, in connection with the bizarre incident, cops said.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
What misconceptions do people still have about bullying?—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
24 Jan. 2026
-
After bullying their way through three CFP games behind 225-pound Mark Fletcher, the Hurricanes’ backs managed just 27 yards on 11 carries in the first half against Indiana.—
Ralph D. Russo,
New York Times,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mistreating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistreating. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
