Meaning & use
maltreat
Last updated
UK/mælˈtriːt/
US/mælˈtriːt/
Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.
Meaning
verbtransitive
To treat a person or animal cruelly, harshly, or without the care they need.
Grammar: Takes an object: maltreat a prisoner; no intransitive use in ordinary English.
Patterns
- maltreat someone
- maltreat an animal
- be maltreated
- accuse someone of maltreating someone
The report said guards maltreated prisoners during transport.
Several horses were found neglected and maltreated.
She was accused of maltreating children in her care.
Word forms
| third person singular | maltreats |
|---|---|
| past tense | maltreated |
| past participle | maltreated |
| -ing form | maltreating |
Common combinations
- maltreat a child
- Social workers moved quickly to protect the maltreated child.
- maltreat prisoners
- The inquiry examined claims that staff maltreated prisoners.
- cruelly maltreat
- The animals had been cruelly maltreated before rescue.
- allegedly maltreat
- The officer allegedly maltreated detainees, the court heard.
Synonyms and how they differ
- abuse
- Abuse is more common and broader; maltreat sounds formal and often appears in reports or law.
- mistreat
- Mistreat is very close but more everyday; maltreat often implies severe or repeated cruelty.
- ill-treat
- Ill-treat is similar and somewhat old-fashioned or literary.
- neglect
- Neglect means failing to give needed care, which is different from actively harming.
Opposites
Word family
- maltreatment noun
- The noun for cruel or harmful treatment.
Commonly confused: maltreat or mistreat?
maltreat vs mistreat
The difference is mostly register: maltreat is formal, while mistreat is common in everyday English.
Practice
Choose the best sentence.
Choose one answer.
Maltreat is transitive and takes a direct object: maltreat his cattle. The other forms insert unnecessary or wrong prepositions.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “maltreat”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.