maltreat

IPA/ˌmælˈtriːt/
IPA/ˌmælˈtriːt/

maltreat — 動詞

  • 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

虐待

以殘忍或暴力方式對待

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.

Tuan 得知那些狗多年來一直遭受虐待時，感到非常震驚。

collocation: maltreat animals / maltreat pets

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

該警衛被指控在這座擁擠的監獄中虐待囚犯。

passive: be accused of maltreating [people]

常見搭配
  • maltreat children
  • maltreat animals
  • maltreat prisoners
  • maltreat a person
  • maltreat someone physically
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.

同根字

常見搭配

名詞搭配

副詞搭配

常用片語

  • maltreat someone