mishandle

verb

mis·​han·​dle (ˌ)mis-ˈhan-dᵊl How to pronounce mishandle (audio)
mishandled; mishandling; mishandles

transitive verb

1
: to treat roughly : maltreat
2
: to deal with or manage wrongly or ignorantly

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
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.
Pitcher Orion Kerkering mishandled a comebacker, opting to throw home instead of first with the bases loaded and two outs. Melinda Yao, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2025 Bolton is reportedly under investigation for mishandling classified documents. Michael Collins, USA Today, 8 Oct. 2025 Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony also castigated the deputies for mishandling the 14 calls Mary made to BSO in the year leading up to her death. Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025 Trump claimed Comey mishandled a 2016 probe into Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s private email server, but Comey also refused to pledge loyalty to the president. Douglas M. Charles, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mishandle

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mishandle was in 1530

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mishandle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mishandle. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

mishandle

verb
mis·​han·​dle (ˈ)mis-ˈhan-dᵊl How to pronounce mishandle (audio)
1
: to treat roughly : maltreat
2
: to manage wrongly
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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