MANHANDLE Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

manhandle

verb

ˈman-ˌhan-dᵊl

Definition of manhandle

as in to abuse

to abuse physically charges that the police manhandled peaceful protesters

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of manhandle Then, the family says two others broke through a small window, manhandled their dogs and stole priceless mementos handed down through their family over generations, along with the cash. — Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 18 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 Did something get squashed en route, then manhandled by Kennedy? — Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 16 Apr. 2026 Boston also struggled with its perimeter shooting (eight made 3-pointers on a season-low-tying 28 attempts) but manhandled the Raptors inside, setting a new franchise record for points in the paint (76) in the play-by-play era. — Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for manhandle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for manhandle

Verb

Reports that federal immigration enforcement agencies have accessed Flock data, dozens of officers have abused the system to stalk women, and police have logged hundreds of searches related to protest activity sparked successive waves of backlash.

— N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026
Instead, the Children's Trust was used and abused by the Kittrells for exclusively their own purposes and in fact the Kittrells treat the trust assets for nearly all purposes as their own.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of abuse

Verb

His distance from Henry was painfully emphasized when his son got in trouble for bullying another classmate, and the idea of Michelle (Andrea Anders) getting engaged to someone else sent him into a tailspin.

— Rachel LaBonte, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Aug. 2026
As Southampton’s Cyle Larin showed in April’s 5-1 thrashing, the defence is susceptible to being bullied physically at times.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of bully

Verb

The lawsuit isn’t the first to accuse Ye of mistreating a fellow musician.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2026
In their July 30 letter, lawmakers noted that there have been at least 15 incidents since 2023 involving staff physically mistreating children at the Morgantown facility, as documented by Pennsylvania state inspectors.

— Finch Walker, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of mistreat

Verb

The investigation by the state of Illinois into mishandled and decomposing bodies found at a Chicago funeral home has expanded to a second facility.

— Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 8 Aug. 2026
The case also mirrors incidents across the country where remains were allegedly mishandled.

— Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of mishandle

Verb

Each competitor was giving it their all with brutalizing chops, tough suplexes and going above and beyond to try to win that championship.

— Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2026
The same curriculum includes Prophet Muhammed’s history of brutalizing Christians and Jewish people — a framing that Muslim families and interfaith advocates found issue with in public comment.

— Rachel Royster. Produced with AI assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 July 2026

Definition of brutalize

Verb

New arrival Maghnes Akliouche adds another attacking option this summer, while the signing of Lucas Digne from Villa gives this particular fixture an early subplot, with the full-back facing his old club straight out of the gate.

— Dean Jones, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
The woman was in the Silver River in Marion County, just south of Gainesville, when she was attacked on the arm on Saturday, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said.

— Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of attack

Verb

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of using North Korean ballistic missiles in its attacks, as another night of bombardment killed at least nine civilians and injured dozens of others.

— CBS News, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Chamapuro added that one person in the community was injured, and called on authorities to send food and medicine.

— Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of injure

Browse Nearby Words

mangy

manhandle

manhandled

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“Manhandle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manhandle. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of manhandle

verb

Example Sentences

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