treat 1 of 2

verb

ˈtrēt How to pronounce treat (audio)
Definition of treatnext
1
as in to serve
to behave toward in a stated way she tries to treat all of her students fairly and equally, regardless of her personal feelings toward them

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to manage
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently school officials treated the vandalism of the students' artwork as a very serious matter

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to consult
to exchange viewpoints or seek advice for the purpose of finding a solution to a problem I will treat with my lawyer and let you know what we decide

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4
as in to heal
to give medical treatment to a nurse treating a patient

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treat

2 of 2

noun

1
as in joy
a source of great satisfaction spending a long weekend at a ski resort is a real treat

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2
as in candy
something that is pleasing to eat because it is rare or a luxury for us sushi is a real treat since no restaurant around here makes it

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Example Sentences

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 treat
Verb
The couple started taking methadone, a medication that treats opioid addiction, in early 2025. — Yashaswini Singh, The Conversation, 28 Oct. 2026 South Side and south suburban expectant mothers, as well as the nurses and doctors who treat them, have lost services nearly 10 times since 2019, according to the nonprofit March of Dimes. — Lauren Victory, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Noun
For a local dessert treat, diners can opt instead for a cup of Gunther’s vanilla or lemon custard ice cream. — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 26 Oct. 2026 Made with a yellow cake mix and a spiced filling, this dreamy recipe turns honey buns into a special occasion treat. — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for treat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for treat
  1. serve
  2. manage
  3. consult
  4. heal
  5. joy
  6. candy
  7. handle
  8. manipulate
Verb
  • Both already serve as the ranking members of their respective committees, and Warren, in particular, has found success pursuing progressive policy priorities despite Republicans running Washington.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Stalemate Netanyahu has become the country's longest-serving prime minister after past electoral stalemates kept him in office and other parties could not form a governing coalition before deadlines passed.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of serve
Verb
  • Union Berlin managed to draw at Augsburg 1-1 after a player from each was sent off in separate incidents.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The winner will gain one of five seats on the board that runs the highway district, which is responsible for building, managing and maintaining local roads and bridges countywide — as well as setting ACHD’s nearly $260 million annual budget.
    — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of manage
Verb
  • Always consult with a medical professional before making any major changes that can affect your health.
    — Renée Onque, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Women often consult primary care physicians as perimenopausal symptoms develop, and there are significant gaps in menopause knowledge among clinicians who practice internal medicine.
    — Lyndon Haviland, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of consult
Verb
  • Eisenkot is campaigning on a promise to restore public trust in government, rebuild Israel’s security, and heal the divisions that have fractured the country.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Its purpose, Felix explained, was to heal both physical and psychic wounds.
    — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of heal
Noun
  • Children crowded the play areas, despite the damp, gray weather, shrieking with joy (and in one instance, crying).
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Italians are fed energetically with the sustenance of beauty, ease, and joy.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of joy
Noun
  • Halloween candy hasn’t even been handed out yet, but Hilary Duff is definitely in a Christmas mood already.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Allrecipes points to Reddit discussions where shoppers compare store brand chips, cookies and candy with national brand versions.
    — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of candy
Verb
  • Seventy-one percent also doubt that his village cooperatives policy—which plans to establish hubs in roughly 80,000 communities to handle basic-goods distribution, savings, and other rural services—would succeed.
    — Jay Ganglani, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The case remains under investigation and is being handled by the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Division, according to Arcadia police.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of handle
Verb
  • Key Takeaways The experiment revealed an unexpected way to manipulate the weak magnetism inside an atomic nucleus.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Some see promise in manipulating the gut microbiome; others are exploring the potential of stimulating the vagus nerve, eliciting a psychedelic experience or repurposing drugs that might quiet inflammation in the brain.
    — Lynne Peeples, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of manipulate

Phrases Containing treat

Browse Nearby Words

treasury
treat
treated
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Cite this Entry

“Treat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/treat. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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