Mistreat Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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mistreat

[mɪsˈtriːt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

behavior towards someone

To mistreat someone means to treat them badly or cruelly, often causing them emotional or physical harm. It involves abusing or harming someone, either intentionally or unintentionally.

Synonyms

abuse, bully, harass, ill-treat.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
mistreat	When someone is treated badly or unfairly, but not necessarily resulting in severe harm or injury. It can be used in various contexts, including both emotional and physical mistreatment. She felt mistreated by her colleagues because they ignored her ideas The factory workers were mistreated by their supervisors and given inhumane working conditions
abuse	When someone is subjected to harsh and harmful behavior that often involves physical, emotional, or psychological harm over a period of time. Abuse generally involves a power imbalance. He suffered years of emotional abuse from his partner Child abuse is a serious crime that can have long-lasting effects on the victim
ill-treat	When someone is treated in a cruel or unkind manner, often involving physical harm or severe neglect. It's a less commonly used term than others in this list. The orphanage was reported for ill-treating the children The dog was ill-treated by its previous owner and needed medical attention
bully	When someone repeatedly uses words or actions to hurt another person, usually occurring among children and teenagers but can happen in adult environments too. The older kids bullied him every day at school She was bullied online by anonymous users who sent her hateful messages
harass	When someone repeatedly behaves in an unwanted and offensive way towards another person, often involving troubling or aggressive actions and comments, usually with a sexual or discriminatory connotation. She filed a complaint after being harassed by her coworker He was harassed on the street due to his ethnicity

Examples of usage

He claimed that his boss mistreated him by giving him all the hardest tasks.
The animal shelter was shut down due to reports of mistreating the animals in their care.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

handling an object

To mistreat an object means to handle it roughly or carelessly, often resulting in damage or deterioration. It involves not treating the object with the proper care or respect.

Synonyms

abuse, damage, mishandle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
mistreat	Use when describing the unfair or cruel treatment of people or animals. She was accused of mistreating her pets Workers who are mistreated by their employers often feel demoralized
mishandle	Referring to improper or careless handling of objects, tasks, or situations. Can have a milder negative connotation compared to 'mistreat.' The fragile cargo was mishandled during transport Mishandling confidential information can lead to serious consequences
abuse	Implying severe and often violent treatment of someone, with a negative connotation. It can also be used for substance abuse. He was arrested for abusing his wife Substance abuse is a serious issue that needs to be addressed
damage	Appropriate for situations where something is physically harmed or spoiled. The storm damaged several buildings in the area Unauthorized modifications can damage the software

Examples of usage

The fragile package was mistreated during shipping, causing the contents to break.
She was accused of mistreating the antique vase by placing it too close to a heat source.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Legal Context

Mistreatment can lead to legal consequences, such as charges of abuse or neglect, especially in cases involving children or animals.
Many countries have laws protecting individuals from mistreatment by employers, commonly referenced in labor rights legislation.

Psychology

Research shows that people who experience mistreatment may develop long-term emotional and psychological issues, such as anxiety or depression.
Victims of mistreatment often struggle with trust in relationships due to past experiences of being treated badly.

Cultural Perspectives

Different cultures define acceptable treatment in varied ways, which can affect perceptions of what constitutes mistreatment.
Media often portrays mistreatment in stories, highlighting issues of social justice and calling for empathy and understanding.

Education

In educational settings, mistreatment can manifest as bullying or discrimination, leading to policies and programs aimed at creating a positive environment.
Teaching children about the importance of kindness and respect is key to preventing mistreatment among peers.

Origin of 'mistreat'

Main points about word origin

The word 'mistreat' comes from the prefix 'mis-', meaning wrong or bad, combined with 'treat', from Latin 'tractare', meaning to handle.
It started being used in English around the early 17th century, showing a long history of acknowledging poor treatment.

The word 'mistreat' originated from the combination of 'mis-' meaning 'badly' and 'treat' meaning 'to behave towards'. It dates back to the late 16th century and has been used to describe both the ill treatment of individuals as well as objects.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,237 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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34234 strumpet
34235 polychromatic
34236 covenanting
34237 mistreat
34238 clanked
34239 whacking
34240 uneaten
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