mishandle

verb

mis·​han·​dle (ˌ)mis-ˈhan-dᵊl 

mishandled; mishandling; mishandles

transitive verb

1

: to treat roughly : maltreat

2

: to deal with or manage wrongly or ignorantly

Synonyms

• abuse
• brutalize
• bully
• ill-treat
• ill-use
• kick around
• maltreat
• manhandle
• mess over [slang]
• mistreat
• misuse

Examples of mishandle in a Sentence

The police mishandled the investigation.

Apples are easily bruised when they are mishandled.

The shortstop mishandled the throw.

The quarterback fumbled when he mishandled the snap.

Recent Examples on the Web

In August 2024 alone, for example, federal statistics show airlines mishandled more than 260,000 bags in the US. —Faith Karimi, CNN, 30 Nov. 2024

Driving the news: Special counsel Jack Smith moved Monday to drop two cases against Trump, for subverting the results of the 2020 election and mishandling classified documents. —Sam Baker, Axios, 26 Nov. 2024

Bragg’s approach marks a contrast from special counsel Jack Smith, who on Monday moved to outright dismiss his prosecutions of Trump on accusations of subverting the 2020 election and mishandling classified documents. —Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 26 Nov. 2024

If mishandled, these risks could have significant legal ramifications, jeopardizing the organization’s reputation and future. —Shane Buckley, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

mishandle

verb

mis·​han·​dle (ˈ)mis-ˈhan-dᵊl 

1

: to treat roughly : maltreat

2

: to manage wrongly