Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913 maltreat /(măl*trēt")/ · mal·treat · IPA /malˈtɹiːt/ 01 v. t. To treat ill; to abuse; to treat roughly. imp. & p. p. Maltreated; p. pr. & vb. n. Maltreating 1. To treat ill; to abuse; to treat roughly.