to ill-treat

Examples

• All

• However, our captain didn't ill-treat us, but he was a very cruel man, and we were many times pained by witnessing his abuse of his crew.

  Blog text (6)

• They ill-treat us every time.

  HyperNormalisation (2016)

• If you ill-treat my daughters, or betray them with other women, the God of Abraham... must be your judge.

  Jacob (1994)

• They were returned to Russia in 2004 despite their fears of being tortured and ill-treated back home.

  Blog text (6)

• They ill-treat us every time we visit their house.

• He refused to ill-treat his employees and instead focused on creating a supportive work environment.

Synonyms

A

to abuse

vsto ill-treat

• NSFW

344 3.7

To treat a person or animal cruelly to harm them

covers cruel or unfair conduct but not always physical force

V

to victimize

vsto ill-treat

• US

70 6.0

Treat someone cruelly or unfairly so they suffer

is the general sense of unfair or cruel behaviour not focused on victim role

M

to mistreat

vsto ill-treat

63 2.9

To be cruel to people or animals

is the general idea of cruel or unfair behaviour rather than only animal cases

W

to wrong

vsto ill-treat

53 5.2

Treat someone unfairly

has the same unfairness but stresses cruelty or meanness more clearly

B

to brutalize

vsto ill-treat

• Offensive

34 7.7

Treat someone cruelly with violence or make them numb to suffering

means cruel or unfair action but usually less violently intense

S

to step on

vsto ill-treat

• Informal

23 6.7

To treat someone badly to gain power or get ahead

is about cruel or unfair treatment in general, not only to gain power

H

to harsh on

vsto ill-treat

• Informal

7 5.8

Criticize someone in a very unkind way

covers harsh treatment but is not limited to criticism

R

to run roughshod

vsto ill-treat

6 8.4

To act without care for other people or their rights

is about cruelty or unfairness rather than mere careless behaviour

M

to maltreat

vsto ill-treat

• NSFW

3 7.4

To be cruel to a person or animal

is the broader phrase for cruel or unfair actions without legal detail

R

to ride roughshod

vsto ill-treat

1 8.8

Treat people badly and ignore their feelings or rights

is focused on cruel or unfair conduct rather than simply disregard

D

to do ill

vsto ill-treat

• Offensive

1 7.5

To harm someone or cause them trouble

is the everyday phrase for cruel or unfair behaviour rather than legal wrongs

D

to do someone like that

vsto ill-treat

• Informal

1 8.4

Treat someone unfairly or hurt them, often when they trust you

is the neutral expression for cruel or unfair actions without informality

I

to ill-use

vsto ill-treat

• NSFW

8.6

To treat people or animals badly and unfairly

is the plain expression for harsh or unfair behaviour without added emphasis

Antonyms

C

to care for

347 1.0

Look after a sick or injured person and give them needed help

D

to do well by

1 5.0

Treat someone with respect and kindness

How Cruel

to torture

• Offensive

582 5.7

to abuse

• NSFW

344 3.7

to ill-treat

• NSFW

5.2

to neglect

256 3.8

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology