Maltreat

Pronunciation: /mɔːlˈtriːt/

Definitions of maltreat

verb to treat (a person or animal) badly, cruelly, or unfairly

Example Sentences

A1 It is never okay to maltreat animals.

A2 The teacher warned the students not to maltreat each other.

B1 The company was fined for maltreating its employees.

B2 The investigation revealed that the suspect had been maltreating his family for years.

C1 The government has implemented strict laws to prevent the maltreatment of prisoners.

C2 The documentary shed light on the widespread issue of maltreatment in nursing homes.

Examples of maltreat in a Sentence

formal It is unacceptable to maltreat any living being.

informal I heard that the neighbor's dog was being maltreated.

slang Some people just don't care and maltreat their pets.

figurative We must not maltreat our planet if we want future generations to thrive.

Grammatical Forms of maltreat

• past tense: maltreated
• plural: maltreats
• comparative: more maltreat
• superlative: most maltreat
• present tense: maltreat
• future tense: will maltreat
• perfect tense: has maltreated
• continuous tense: is maltreating
• singular: maltreat
• positive degree: maltreat
• infinitive: to maltreat
• gerund: maltreating
• participle: maltreated

Origin and Evolution of maltreat

First Known Use: 1520 year

Language of Origin: Old French

Story behind the word: The word 'maltreat' originated from the Old French word 'maltraiter' which means 'to treat badly'.

Evolution of the word: Over time, 'maltreat' has retained its meaning of mistreating or abusing someone, with no significant shift in its usage or connotation.