1
as in abuses
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 & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in attacks
to abuse physically
if you maltreat the puppy, we will take it away immediately
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for maltreats
Verb
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But outside of the ring, Christy hides and represses her lesbianism and winds up marrying her trainer Jim Martin (Ben Foster), who manipulates and physically abuses her.—
Edward Segarra, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Earlier this year, in July 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first implantable VNS device for rheumatoid arthritis, a painful autoimmune disease that attacks the joints.—
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While Alex is reeling from his discovery, Dwayne attacks him and hauls him away.—
Verb
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Victor’s own father is obsessed with legacy and perfection and mistreats his boy, and that cycle continues with Victor and the Creature.—
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Mihály is a brute who mistreats his mother.—
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Cite this Entry
“Maltreats.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/maltreats. Accessed 27 Sep. 2025.
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