mistreat
Treat with cruelty
To mistreat is to treat someone or something badly, cruelly, or unfairly.
The word covers a range of harmful behavior—from neglect to abuse: The dog had been mistreated by its previous owner.
Mistreat is slightly more formal than its near-synonym treat badly, and slightly less severe than abuse.
Cause or feel pain
- injureCause physical harm
- woundCoiled, or an injury
- damageHarm or impairment
- traumatizeCause lasting psychological harm
scar · bruise · afflict · maim · impair · batter · beat · assault
Cruel or violent treatment
- brutalitySavage, merciless behavior
- crueltyDeliberate harm-causing disposition
- inhumanityExtreme cruelty toward others
- tormentSevere prolonged suffering
torture · persecution · victimization · oppression · sadism · barbarity · viciousness · savagery
Failure to provide care
- abandonLeave behind permanently
- ignoreRefuse to notice
- disregardWillful lack of attention
- overlookMiss or commanding view
negligence · abandonment · deprivation · forsake · desert · starve · withhold · deny
hurt
Cause or feel pain
traumatize · scar · bruise · afflict · maim · impair · batter · beat · assault · strike
abuse
Cruel or violent treatment
- brutalitySavage, merciless behavior
- crueltyDeliberate harm-causing disposition
- inhumanityExtreme cruelty toward others
torment · torture · persecution · victimization · oppression · sadism · barbarity · viciousness · savagery · malice
neglect
Failure to provide care
overlook · negligence · abandonment · deprivation · forsake · desert · starve · withhold · deny · fail