1 maltreat | Definition of maltreat

maltreat

verb
mal·​treat | \ ËŒmal-ˈtrÄ“t How to pronounce maltreat (audio) \
maltreated; maltreating; maltreats

Definition of maltreat

transitive verb

: to treat cruelly or roughly : abuse

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from maltreat

maltreater \ ËŒmal-​ˈtrÄ“-​tÉ™r How to pronounce maltreater (audio) \ noun
maltreatment \ ËŒmal-​ˈtrÄ“t-​mÉ™nt How to pronounce maltreatment (audio) \ noun

Examples of maltreat in a Sentence

emotionally maltreated and neglected for years by her husband, she had long ago resigned herself to a loveless marriage if you maltreat the puppy, we will take it away immediately

Recent Examples on the Web

Youngsters who live in neighborhoods with more bars or liquor stores are more likely to be maltreated. Kunmi Sobowale, Scientific American, "Raising Alcohol Taxes Can Curtail Assaults and Suicides," 1 July 2017 Youngsters who live in neighborhoods with more bars or liquor stores are more likely to be maltreated. Kunmi Sobowale, Scientific American, "Raising Alcohol Taxes Can Curtail Assaults and Suicides," 1 July 2017 Youngsters who live in neighborhoods with more bars or liquor stores are more likely to be maltreated. Kunmi Sobowale, Scientific American, "Raising Alcohol Taxes Can Curtail Assaults and Suicides," 1 July 2017 Youngsters who live in neighborhoods with more bars or liquor stores are more likely to be maltreated. Kunmi Sobowale, Scientific American, "Raising Alcohol Taxes Can Curtail Assaults and Suicides," 1 July 2017 Youngsters who live in neighborhoods with more bars or liquor stores are more likely to be maltreated. Kunmi Sobowale, Scientific American, "Raising Alcohol Taxes Can Curtail Assaults and Suicides," 1 July 2017 Youngsters who live in neighborhoods with more bars or liquor stores are more likely to be maltreated. Kunmi Sobowale, Scientific American, "Raising Alcohol Taxes Can Curtail Assaults and Suicides," 1 July 2017 Youngsters who live in neighborhoods with more bars or liquor stores are more likely to be maltreated. Kunmi Sobowale, Scientific American, "Raising Alcohol Taxes Can Curtail Assaults and Suicides," 1 July 2017 The evidence came from Sergei Magnitsky, a lawyer, who was later imprisoned and maltreated in Russia, and died in custody in 2009. The Economist, "Laundry listLatvia’s top banking official has been accused of taking a bribe," 20 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'maltreat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of maltreat

1708, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for maltreat

partial translation of French maltraiter, from Middle French, from mal- + traiter to treat, from Old French traitier — more at treat entry 1

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for maltreat

maltreat

verb

English Language Learners Definition of maltreat

: to treat (someone) in a rough or cruel way

maltreat

verb
mal·​treat | \ mal-ˈtrÄ“t How to pronounce maltreat (audio) \
maltreated; maltreating

Kids Definition of maltreat

: to treat in a rough or unkind way : abuse

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on maltreat

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with maltreat

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for maltreat

Spanish Central: Translation of maltreat

Nglish: Translation of maltreat for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of maltreat for Arabic Speakers