as in abuses
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
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Recent Examples of mistreats
Victor’s own father is obsessed with legacy and perfection and mistreats his boy, and that cycle continues with Victor and the Creature.
—
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Mihály is a brute who mistreats his mother.
—Adam Solomons, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2025
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Mihály is a brute who mistreats his mother.
—Adam Solomons, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistreats
Verb
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The insurer said during a Senate committee hearing that Nutex abuses the independent dispute resolution process, which was intended by the federal No Surprises Act to be a last resort in cases where providers and health insurers can’t agree on what should be paid for out-of-network care.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Mar. 2026
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The River Is Waiting follows Corby, a dad laid off from his job in an advertising firm’s art department, who secretly drinks 100-proof rum and abuses prescription medication while caring for his twin 2-year-olds.—
Eric Magnuson,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Collective action deters bullies Harvard never stood alone.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
1 Feb. 2026
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There’s always a mean kid in your class who bullies everybody else.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The retrospection tortures her.—
Alexandra Rockey Fleming,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
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Later, in one of the movie's most satisfying scenes, Millie locks Andrew in the attic and tortures him by loudly smashing each plate.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mistreats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistreats. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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