mistreatment

Everyday

Mistreatment is treating a person or animal cruelly or unfairly, for example hurting them, starving them or not caring for them. tree →

In the lessons

In lessons about rights, safety and animals, mistreatment is something to report to a trusted adult or the RSPCA (UK) or similar groups. In news and history it describes cruelty to workers, prisoners or animals. Phrases: «mistreatment of animals», «suffer mistreatment», «report mistreatment».

Examples

• The farmer was fined for the mistreatment of his horses. tree →
• Mistreatment of children is against the law. tree →
• The prisoners suffered terrible mistreatment. tree →
• If you see mistreatment of an animal, tell an adult. tree →
• The charity helps dogs rescued from mistreatment. tree →
• Calling names every day is a kind of mistreatment too. tree →

Note

Uncountable. Verb: mistreat (mistreated). Prefix «mis-» means badly or wrongly (mislead, misbehave). Close words: abuse, cruelty, neglect (not caring), ill-treatment.