Meaning & use
maltreat
To treat a person or animal cruelly or without proper care.
See it in a sentence
The charity investigated reports that the farm had maltreated its livestock for months.
Employees who maltreat customers face immediate dismissal under the new company policy.
A note on using this word
Maltreat is somewhat formal and appears more often in legal or news reporting than in casual conversation.
Words with a similar meaning
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