MISTREATING Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

mistreating

verb

present participle of mistreat

as in abusing

to inflict physical or emotional harm upon the foster parent who had been mistreating his charges was sent to jail

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of mistreating Riddle says misdiagnosing and mistreating postpartum psychosis can have adverse effects on patients. — Louisa Moller, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026 Kanye West is facing another lawsuit accusing him of mistreating a fellow musician. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2026 In their July 30 letter, lawmakers noted that there have been at least 15 incidents since 2023 involving staff physically mistreating children at the Morgantown facility, as documented by Pennsylvania state inspectors. — Finch Walker, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026 At the end, Morrison made the boy apologize to his classmates for mistreating them. — Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 15 July 2026 Collin — who has accused Kate of mistreating him during his childhood — responded to his mom on his Instagram Stories. — Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026 After reporting Lopez missing last September, Lopez’s daughter told a detective that Yepez had been mistreating her mother at work, the police report said. — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026 One example would be laws prohibiting humans from mistreating AIs psychologically or physically. — Rob Toews, Forbes.com, 22 June 2026 His tenure at Texas Tech came to a messy and uncomfortable end when he was fired for cause after being accused of mistreating a player with a concussion. — Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 2 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mistreating

Verb

Communities from Lansing, Michigan, to Pflugerville, Texas, are ending their relationship with Flock, largely over concerns regarding out-of-control surveillance, unwanted data sharing, high expenses, and reports of police abusing the tool.

— Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026
Countless cops, meanwhile, are abusing the cameras to stalk women.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of abusing

Verb

Trump has been bullying Canada since the start of his second term.

— Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026
The source said the TCU staff was aware of mounting tensions, but viewed it as just a part of competitive football in fall camp, not bullying.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of bullying

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“Mistreating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mistreating. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of mistreating

verb

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