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)
• beat
• injure
• ambush
• torture
• hurt
• wrestle
• mistreat
• pummel
• slap
• wound
• lick
• fight
• misuse
• harm
• persecute
• knock
• oppress
• batter
• wrong
• lambaste
• ill-treat
• hit
• assail
• thrash
• bash
• pound
• ill-use
• roughhouse
• 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of manhandle

His hands and ability to manhandle blockers made him among the best defensive players in the West Valley League. — Ethan Hanson, Daily News, 31 July 2026

Those ramped up after Ottawa was completely manhandled by the Canes, and never held the lead at any point in the series. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026

The $100 million price tag attached to the legal action is to make sure the city takes Brown’s allegations seriously — and ensure no one else is manhandled by the police without cause, Brown’s attorney Derek Sells of the Cochran Firm said. — Sheetal Banchariya, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026

Orlando manhandled Charlotte so thoroughly and so early Friday night that the game was over by halftime, when the Magic had amassed an astonishing 31-point lead. — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2026