mistreat
mihs-TREET
Mistreat (verb) means to treat someone or something badly or cruelly. Example: “The charity rescues animals that have been mistreated.”
verb
1
To treat someone or something badly or cruelly.
"The charity rescues animals that have been mistreated."
"He was fired for mistreating customers."
How to use mistreat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo treat someone poorly, roughly, or unfairly.
Common pairings
mistreat an animal
mistreat employees
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- mistreats
- Past tense
- mistreated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The charity rescues animals that have been _____.
Etymology
From mis- ("wrongly") plus treat.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for mistreat
See all rhymes for mistreat →Frequently asked questions
What does “mistreat” mean?
The word “mistreat” means to treat someone or something badly or cruelly. In plain terms, to treat someone poorly, roughly, or unfairly.
How do you pronounce “mistreat”?
“Mistreat” is pronounced mihs-TREET (/mɪsˈtɹiːt/ in IPA).
How do you use “mistreat” in a sentence?
Here is “mistreat” used in a sentence: “The charity rescues animals that have been mistreated.”
What part of speech is “mistreat”?
“Mistreat” is a verb.
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