# mistreatment

/mɪˈstɹitmənt/ (US) · /mɪstɹˈiːtmənt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mistreatment
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

the act of being treated badly or unfairly by someone else. It can describe physical harm, emotional abuse, or being ignored when you need help.

For teachers: the act of treating someone or something in a cruel, unfair, or harmful manner. Often used in legal or social contexts to describe systemic or intentional harm.

## Examples

- The mistreatment of the prisoners was a serious violation of human rights.
- The charity works to prevent the mistreatment of vulnerable children in the local community.
- Historians often debate whether the mistreatment of the local population was a calculated strategy to suppress resistance or a result of the soldiers' own cultural biases.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.