mistreat
/mɪsˈtriːt
/verb [with object]
Treat (a person or animal) badly, cruelly, or unfairly: it is a moving tale about how the white man mistreated American Indians a dog which has been mistreated will remain very wary of strangers...
- We cannot hunt, abuse and mistreat people in a quest for justice.
- Perpetrators can be parents who abuse and mistreat their children at home before they come to camp.
- A report published today by the pressure group Animal Aid claims that York livestock market mistreats its cattle.
Synonyms
ill-treat, maltreat, abuse, ill-use, misuse, treat badly, handle/treat roughly, knock about/around, hit, beat, strike, mishandle;
manhandle, maul, molest, injure, harm, hurt, bully, persecute
informal beat up, rough up, do over
