mishandle

verb

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

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.
Vincent said earlier this week that out of the 171 plays that were called on replay or replay assist, there were only a handful that were mishandled. ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026 This isn’t the first time a third-party vendor has come under scrutiny for mishandling sensitive user information for Discord, which is popular among gamers, students, influencers, tech professionals, and other communities. Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026 Anutin has been prime minister only since last September, after serving in the Cabinet of his immediate predecessor, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was forced out of office for an ethics violation regarding mishandling relations with Cambodia. Grant Peck, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026 Consistent with all applicable laws, NSA investigates any mishandling or unauthorized disclosure of intelligence and partners closely with Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to ensure the necessary steps are taken to hold those accountable. Michael Kaplan, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026 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 28 Feb. 2026.

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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