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
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
While rare, copperheads can bite if they’re mishandled or feel threatened.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026
No after-action reports were needed to know that Los Angeles badly mishandled last January’s fires, which damaged or destroyed more than 18,000 structures, burned more than 37,000 acres and resulted in 31 direct deaths.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mishandle
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.
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
While rare, copperheads can bite if they’re mishandled or feel threatened.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026
No after-action reports were needed to know that Los Angeles badly mishandled last January’s fires, which damaged or destroyed more than 18,000 structures, burned more than 37,000 acres and resulted in 31 direct deaths.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mishandle
Cite this Entry
“Mishandle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mishandle. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
mishandle
verb
mis·han·dle
(ˈ)mis-ˈhan-dᵊl 
1
: to treat roughly : maltreat
2
: to manage wrongly
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
