as in to abuse
to inflict physical or emotional harm upon
the foster parent who had been mistreating his charges was sent to jail
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mistreat
In the film, Reeves portrays Reef Hawk, a superstar actor who realizes he's been mistreating people around him for decades after an anonymous extortionist threatens to publish a video of him that would ruin his career.
—
Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Apr. 2026
Since his release, Hernandez has claimed he was severely mistreated at the maximum security detention center.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
People created memes and videos mocking Roan for mistreating children.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026
Brazilian soccer star Jorginho Frello is accusing Chappell Roan‘s team of mistreating his 11-year-old daughter at a hotel in São Paulo.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mistreat
Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Apr. 2026
Since his release, Hernandez has claimed he was severely mistreated at the maximum security detention center.
—Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
People created memes and videos mocking Roan for mistreating children.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026
Brazilian soccer star Jorginho Frello is accusing Chappell Roan‘s team of mistreating his 11-year-old daughter at a hotel in São Paulo.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mistreat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistreat
Verb
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According to Lewkowitz, if a grower abuses the soil, the system ceases to be viable, leaving zero likelihood of success from a sustainability standpoint.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
27 Apr. 2026
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Intermediate scrutiny is why men abuse women at such high rates and get away with it.—
Wendy Murphy,
Boston Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Unfortunately, Trump’s bullying style of diplomacy does not engender a willingness by allies and friends to step forward and provide assistance to our efforts in Iran.—
Tom Jurkowsky,
Baltimore Sun,
25 Apr. 2026
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Boerkircher, playing at Nebraska, bullied Hunter for more than 15 yards before Hunter ripped off his helmet.—
Mark Long,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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People were oppressed in that time.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
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Communities endured the triple indignity of working on the statues and being both redressed and oppressed by those statues.—
Horace D. Ballard,
Artforum,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mistreat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistreat. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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