maltreat | Definition of maltreat

Synonyms and Antonyms of maltreat

1 to inflict physical or emotional harm upon

a manager fired for maltreating the staff with needless insults

a home for children who have been deprived and maltreated

Synonyms of maltreat

abuse, brutalize, bully, ill-treat, ill-use, kick around, manhandle, mess over [slang], mishandle, mistreat, misuse

Words Related to maltreat

molest, outrage, violate

harass, harm, hurt, injure, oppress, persecute, torment, torture

burn, sandbag, victimize, wrong

beat (up), mess (up), rough (up), work (over)

Phrases Synonymous with maltreat

Near Antonyms of maltreat

care (for), cherish, foster, nurture

baby, cater (to), coddle, favor, gratify, humor, indulge, mollycoddle, pamper, spoil

2 to abuse physically

if you maltreat the puppy, we will take it away immediately

Synonyms of maltreat

manhandle, maul, mishandle, rough (up)

Words Related to maltreat

abuse, ill-treat, ill-use, mistreat, misuse

roughhouse, wrestle

bash, batter, beat, buffet, drub, lambaste (or lambast), lick, pommel, pound, pummel, slap, thrash

harm, hurt, injure, wound

oppress, persecute, wrong

ambush, assail, attack

clobber, fight, gang up (on), hit, jump, knock

torment, torture

Near Antonyms of maltreat

caress, fondle, pet

coddle, mollycoddle, pamper

care (for), foster, nurture