mistreat

verb

mis·​treat ˌmis-ˈtrēt How to pronounce mistreat (audio)
mistreated; mistreating; mistreats
Synonyms of mistreatnext

transitive verb

: to treat badly : abuse
mistreatment
ˌmis-ˈtrēt-mənt How to pronounce mistreat (audio)
noun

Synonyms of mistreat

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Examples of mistreat in a Sentence

They accuse him of mistreating his wife. She claimed she had been mistreated by the police.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Creative labor certainly seems to be disappearing as studios experiment with generative AI, and artists and craftspeople are rightly afraid of being further mistreated, devalued, or replaced. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026 Riddle says misdiagnosing and mistreating postpartum psychosis can have adverse effects on patients. — Louisa Moller, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for mistreat

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mistreat was in the 15th century

Rhymes for mistreat

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Browse Nearby Words

mistranslation
mistreat
mistress
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Cite this Entry

“Mistreat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mistreat. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

mistreat

verb
mis·​treat (ˈ)mis-ˈtrēt How to pronounce mistreat (audio)
: to treat badly : abuse
mistreatment
-mənt How to pronounce mistreat (audio)
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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