maltreat
3 synonyms for maltreat, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To treat someone or something cruelly or unfairly.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
Formed from mal- and treat, modelled on French maltraiter.
Full origin of maltreat →