maltreat

IPA/ˌmælˈtriːt/
IPA/ˌmælˈtriːt/

maltreat — verb

  • maltreatpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • maltreatshe / she / it
  • maltreatedpast simple
  • maltreating-ing form

1. to deliberately hurt a person or animal by treating them in a cruel or violent w

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to deliberately hurt a person or animal by treating them in a cruel or violent way

例句

Tuan was shocked to learn that the dogs had been maltreated for years.

collocation: maltreat animals / maltreat pets

The guards were accused of maltreating prisoners in the overcrowded facility.

passive: be accused of maltreating [people]

同義詞
  • abuse

    broader meaning — includes verbal, sexual, and emotional harm, not just physical cruelty

  • mistreat

    less formal and milder — can apply to neglect or unkindness without violence

  • ill-treat

    similar register to 'maltreat' but slightly less common in modern usage

反義詞
  • care for

    providing protection and kindness instead of cruelty

  • cherish

    showing love and gentleness, the opposite of violent treatment

文法句型

maltreat + object

用法筆記

More formal than 'mistreat' and stronger in tone — 'maltreat' implies deliberate cruelty rather than simple neglect or unkindness. Frequently used in legal, journalistic, and human-rights contexts.

常見錯誤

❌The boy maltreated his new bike and it broke.
✅The boy mistreated his new bike and it broke.
💡'maltreat' is only used for people and animals, not objects.
❌She maltreated him by ignoring his phone calls.
✅She mistreated him by ignoring his phone calls.
💡'maltreat' implies physical cruelty or violence, not just emotional neglect.