Maltreatment - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Maltreatment refers to cruel, violent, or unfair treatment of someone, often involving abuse or neglect. It can occur in relationships, care settings, or institutions, causing physical or emotional harm.
Definition:
Cruel or harmful treatment of someone, often involving abuse or neglect.
Synonyms:
abuse, mistreatment, ill-treatment, oppression
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
kindness, care
Common Collocations:
child maltreatment, animal maltreatment, report maltreatment, prevent maltreatment, suffer maltreatment
Derivatives:
maltreat, maltreated, maltreating
Usage Tips:
Use "maltreatment" to describe systematic abuse or neglect, often in formal contexts like law or social work.
Common Phrases:
systemic maltreatment, endure maltreatment, expose maltreatment
Etymology:
From French "maltraiter," meaning "to treat badly," combining "mal-" (badly) and "traiter" (to treat).
Examples:
- 1. The child suffered severe maltreatment before being rescued.
- 2. Animal maltreatment is a punishable offense in many countries.
- 3. She reported the maltreatment of elderly patients at the nursing home.
- 4. The documentary exposed systemic maltreatment in the prison system.