MISHANDLE Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

mishandle

verb

(ˌ)mis-ˈhan-dᵊl

Definition of mishandle

as in to abuse

to inflict physical or emotional harm upon having been shuffled from foster home to foster home, the orphaned girl felt she had been mishandled by an uncaring society

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to manhandle

to abuse physically adopted a sadly mishandled puppy from the pound

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to mismanage

to manage badly we took over as soon as we realized that the fill-in had been mishandling the situation

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 mishandle The audio tapes were obtained by the Justice Department during its investigation into concerns that Biden mishandled classified materials. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 19 June 2026 The lawsuit also accuses emergency responders and dispatchers of mishandling the aftermath by prioritizing treatment and transport of the deputy over the couple, who were more seriously injured, delaying critical medical care. — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 22 June 2026 In late 2022, Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster faced widespread backlash after mishandling ticket sales for Taylor Swift’s 2022 ‘Eras’ tour. — Sydney Goh, CNBC, 27 June 2026 During an hours-long hearing on Monday, Shannon Gallagher, 56, argued that Broward Circuit Court Judge Ernest Kollra should dismiss the charges against her because police mishandled key evidence that could have cleared her. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for mishandle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mishandle

Verb

For more on how attackers can abuse connected devices, see our report on how the FBI warned that more than 1 million Android devices were hijacked by malware.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Some dogs fear brooms, vacuum cleaners or other household products, particularly if they’ve been hurt or abused in the past.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 2 July 2026

Definition of abuse

Verb

During this stretch, the Colts will face three AFC opponents, including the Steelers, who manhandled them last year and forced Jones to commit a career-high five turnovers in a loss.

— James Boyd, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Those ramped up after Ottawa was completely manhandled by the Canes, and never held the lead at any point in the series.

— Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026

Definition of manhandle

Verb

Chris Brown was found liable by a Los Angeles jury on Tuesday for $13 million in the gruesome case of a dog that mauled and disfigured his housekeeper at his home in 2020.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 1 July 2026
Back in the ring, Oba mauled Jey as the Kingdom Arena began rumbling again.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026

Definition of maul

Verb

According to court documents reviewed by The Times, the model alleges that Sandoval shoved her down a flight of stairs in his home, pushed her to the ground at a hotel in Nashville, and attacked her and her father on June 3.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Electing to keep his No 5 on the field, the Brazil head coach made a subtle tactical tweak that saw Endrick enter the action and brought Matheus Cunha further to the left flank — which unlocked the attacking prowess of Vinicius Junior.

— Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of attack

Browse Nearby Words

misguiding

mishandle

mishandled

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“Mishandle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mishandle. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of mishandle

verb

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