as in to abuse
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 mistreat
Surveys have found that significant numbers of trans workers report being fired, denied promotions, or mistreated on the job because of their gender identity, Orr said, contributing to broader economic disparities within the trans community.
—
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
This epic fantasy follows Nausicaa’s efforts to protect animal welfare through peaceful measures and negotiations with her community, who misunderstand and mistreat animals.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026
In January 2025, during an investigation by the Colorado Senate Committee on Ethics, Lewis forged several letters reportedly written by former aides to refute allegations that Lewis was mistreating staff.
—Doug Friednash, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026
Despite his status as a transfer, Dent mistreated UCLA’s rival from the jump.
—Aaron Heisen, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mistreat
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026
This epic fantasy follows Nausicaa’s efforts to protect animal welfare through peaceful measures and negotiations with her community, who misunderstand and mistreat animals.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026
In January 2025, during an investigation by the Colorado Senate Committee on Ethics, Lewis forged several letters reportedly written by former aides to refute allegations that Lewis was mistreating staff.
—Doug Friednash, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026
Despite his status as a transfer, Dent mistreated UCLA’s rival from the jump.
—Aaron Heisen, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mistreat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistreat
Verb
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Prosecutors argue that Duckett was a monster in disguise who abused the badge and brutally raped and killed Teresa before dumping her body in a lake.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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The officer laughed and explained that someone had called in a report about a canine possibly being abused or in need of emergency veterinary care due to the noise.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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We just got bullied to the basket.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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And your husband should not have allowed himself to be bullied by his brother into sending a second present.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Much of progressive ideological frameworks tend to divide the world into oppressors and oppressed.—
Arie Perliger,
The Conversation,
18 Mar. 2026
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For 47 years, Iranians have been subject to a regime that seeks to divide them, isolate them, oppress them, torture them and dispose of them.—
Talla Mountjoy,
Twin Cities,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mistreat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistreat. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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