mistreat
gb/mɪstɹˈit/ us/mɪstɹˈit/
B2
English
rosszul bánik, bántalmaz, nem megfelelően használ, félrekezel
VERB
B2
1
bántalmaz
B2
Usage pattern:
mistreat [someone/animal]
He was arrested for mistreating his partner.
Letartóztatták, mert bántalmazta a párját.
The report found that some workers were being mistreated and underpaid.
A jelentés megállapította, hogy néhány munkással rosszul bántak, és alulfizették őket.
It’s illegal to mistreat animals, even if they are strays.
Learner examples
Do not mistreat people.
Ne bánj rosszul az emberekkel.
She said her boss mistreated her.
Azt mondta, hogy a főnöke rosszul bánt vele.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with 'misunderstand' or 'misinterpret' (mistreat is about treatment/behavior, not understanding).
Meaning
treat someone cruelly or unfairly
Collocations
mistreat children
|mistreat a child
|mistreat women
|mistreat employees
|mistreat workers
|mistreat prisoners
|mistreat a patient
|mistreat animals
|mistreat a dog
|cruelly mistreat
Synonyms
abuse (Often suggests repeated cruelty or violence and can sound stronger.)
|
ill-treat (A close synonym; slightly more formal or literary.)
|
maltreat (More formal; often used in legal or official contexts.)
Antonyms
treat well (The direct opposite: behave kindly and fairly.)
|
care for (Emphasizes looking after someone or something in a protective way.)
Themes
people
|relationships
|crime_law
|ethics
|animals
Definition
to treat someone or an animal in a bad or cruel way
To treat a person or animal badly, especially by being cruel, violent, or persistently unfair.
VERB
C1
2
Usage pattern:
mistreat [something]
If you mistreat the battery, it won’t hold a charge for long.
Ha rosszul bánsz az akkumulátorral, nem sokáig fogja tartani a töltést.
The rental company charges extra if you mistreat the equipment.
A kölcsönző cég felárat számít fel, ha rosszul bánsz a felszereléssel.
He mistreated the engine by never changing the oil.
Learner examples
Don’t mistreat this laptop.
Ne bánj rosszul ezzel a laptoppal.
She mistreated the car and it broke down.
Rosszul bánt az autóval, és az lerobbant.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this for minor problems; for small damage, 'handle carelessly' or 'damage' may be more natural.
Meaning
handle something roughly or badly
Collocations
mistreat equipment
|mistreat a car
|mistreat a guitar
|mistreat a computer
|mistreat a tool
|mistreat a book
|mistreat the machinery
|badly mistreat
|roughly mistreat
Synonyms
misuse (Focuses on using something in the wrong way, not necessarily roughly.)
|
handle roughly (More specific about physical roughness.)
|
abuse (In this sense, suggests using something too hard or too much (e.g., 'abuse the engine').)
Antonyms
handle with care (Emphasizes careful, gentle use.)
|
maintain (Focuses on keeping something in good condition over time.)
Themes
daily_life
|tools_technology
|work
Definition
to use or handle something in a bad way and damage it
To handle or use something carelessly or roughly, causing damage or unnecessary wear.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
3
félrekezel
C1
Usage pattern:
mistreat [an illness/injury/condition]
The infection got worse because it was mistreated at first.
A fertőzés rosszabbodott, mert eleinte félrekezelték.
If asthma is mistreated, symptoms can become more severe over time.
Ha az asztmát félrekezelik, a tünetek idővel súlyosabbá válhatnak.
They warned against mistreating the burn with home remedies.
Learner examples
The doctor said the wound was mistreated.
Az orvos azt mondta, hogy a sebet félrekezelték.
Common mistake:
In healthcare contexts, 'misdiagnose' (wrong diagnosis) and 'mistreat' (wrong treatment) are different.
Meaning
treat medically in a wrong way
Collocations
mistreat an injury
|mistreat a wound
|mistreat an infection
|mistreat a condition
|mistreat an illness
|mistreat symptoms
Synonyms
treat improperly (A straightforward paraphrase; less compact.)
|
manage poorly (Often used for long-term conditions rather than a single treatment decision.)
Antonyms
treat properly (Gives correct medical care.)
|
treat effectively (Emphasizes that the treatment works well.)
Themes
health
|medicine
Definition
to treat a health problem in the wrong way
To treat an illness or injury incorrectly, for example by using the wrong method or not giving proper care.
Grammar
Dictionary form
mistreat
IPA
GB/mɪstɹˈit/
US/mɪstɹˈit/
Syllables & stress
mis - treat (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (treat)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: mistreat
- 3rd Person Singular: mistreats
- Present Participle: mistreating
- Past: mistreated
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.