What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
maltreatment
Example
The child suffered from maltreatment at the hands of their abusive parents. [maltreatment: noun]
Example
The patient filed a complaint against the hospital for maltreatment by the staff. [maltreatment: noun]
mistreatment
Example
The prisoner was subjected to mistreatment and torture during their detention. [mistreatment: noun]
Example
The employee filed a complaint against their boss for mistreatment and harassment. [mistreatment: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Mistreatment is more commonly used than maltreatment in everyday language. Mistreatment is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while maltreatment is less common and more specific to professional or legal contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between maltreatment and mistreatment?
Maltreatment is more formal and commonly used in professional or legal contexts, while mistreatment is more informal and commonly used in personal or social contexts.
