Synonyms of manhandle

manhandle

verb

ˈman-ˌhan-dᵊl 

1

as in to abuse

to abuse physically

charges that the police manhandled peaceful protesters

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abuse
• maul
• mishandle
• attack
• maltreat
• rough (up)
• injure
• beat
• ambush
• torture
• hurt
• wrestle
• mistreat
• pummel
• slap
• wound
• lick
• fight
• misuse
• harm
• persecute
• knock
• batter
• oppress
• wrong
• lambaste
• ill-treat
• assail
• hit
• thrash
• lambast
• bash
• pound
• roughhouse
• ill-use
• clobber
• jump
• drub
• buffet
• torment
• pommel
• gang up (on)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fondle
• caress
• pet
• coddle
• pamper
• foster
• care (for)
• nurture
• mollycoddle

2

as in to bully

to inflict physical or emotional harm upon

if you see anyone manhandling a child, you should call the authorities

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abuse
• bully
• mistreat
• brutalize
• injure
• torture
• mishandle
• oppress
• maltreat
• take apart
• misuse
• violate
• ill-treat
• hurt
• harass
• ill-use
• molest
• persecute
• mess over
• kick around
• harm
• torment
• victimize
• wrong
• outrage
• work (over)
• beat (up)
• rough (up)
• burn
• sandbag
• mess (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• care (for)
• foster
• nurture
• cherish
• baby
• indulge
• spoil
• favor
• gratify
• cater (to)
• coddle
• humor
• pamper
• mollycoddle

Examples of manhandle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The American consistently beat the Brazilian veteran to the punch, out-landing him 130-47 in significant strikes, and manhandled him in the grappling department, securing seven takedowns. —Brian Mazique, Forbes, 8 Sep. 2024

Those plaintiffs all contended in the lawsuit that they were injured from rubber bullets, tear gas, or being manhandled by officers while peacefully protesting. —Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2024

While model Heidi Klum got the chance to pose for her pictures unbothered (and without a security guard manhandling her up the famous Cannes steps), Rowland's moment to get her photos and wave to fans was rudely interrupted. —Giana Levy, refinery29.com, 3 June 2024

Where we are being maneuvered, manipulated, messaged and manhandled. —Washington Post, 27 June 2024