ILL-TREATED Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

ill-treated

verb

past tense of ill-treat

as in abused

to inflict physical or emotional harm upon anyone who ill-treats their pets should not be allowed to have any

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of ill-treated There is a troubling suggestion of abuse, implying that Jack might have been ill-treated by his mom (and saved by Helen), rather than heartlessly abandoned. — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025 Declarants describe detentions following their civil immigration arrests that deprived them of basic human dignity, including being ill-treated, with inadequate food and uncomfortable and crowded sleeping facilities, and being denied medical attention. — New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill-treated

Verb

Some dogs fear brooms, vacuum cleaners or other household products, particularly if they’ve been hurt or abused in the past.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 2 July 2026
Lamar called out Drake for allegedly having a secret child, and Drake claimed that Kendrick abused his fiancée.

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026

Definition of abused

Verb

Children who once feared or mistreated animals begin to show care and leadership.

— Patricia Huon, Christian Science Monitor, 30 June 2026
The sanctuary’s founder, Monika Kerber Perez, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday but has previously denied that the animals were mistreated.

— Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2026

Definition of mistreated

Verb

Walker was abducted, raped, tortured and murdered after attending a Valentine’s Day dance with her boyfriend.

— Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
The actual abduction was committed, according to the feds, by supermarket owner Abu Chowdhury — who’s accused of heading a kidnapping ring that also snatched and tortured two men who crossed his vengeful wife, Iffat Lubna.

— John Annese, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026

Definition of tortured

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ill-treat

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“Ill-treated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill-treated. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of ill-treated

verb

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