1
as in abused
to abuse physically
charges that the police manhandled peaceful protesters
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bullied
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
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Recent Examples of manhandled
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
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
Stella was torn between getting it right and being manhandled by Meredith.
—Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026
Making the scene even more a spectacle was the fact that Yam Yam was literally being manhandled and dragged out of the castle while doing so.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026
After his holstered gun was discovered under his coat and removed while he was being manhandled, he was executed on the spot by one of the officers despite lying unarmed and defenseless on the ground.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
Before his team manhandled Miami, Vrabel gave voice to this during a pregame radio interview when answering if the Patriots might rest starters in order to preserve their health for the playoffs.
—Andrew Callahan, Hartford Courant, 5 Jan. 2026
Coogan’s improbable honor was a beautiful bit of symbolism that recognized the manner in which these hard-nosed Hoosiers physically manhandled the Crimson Tide to reach the College Football Playoff semifinals with their 38-3 victory Thursday.
—Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 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
Stella was torn between getting it right and being manhandled by Meredith.
—Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026
Making the scene even more a spectacle was the fact that Yam Yam was literally being manhandled and dragged out of the castle while doing so.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026
After his holstered gun was discovered under his coat and removed while he was being manhandled, he was executed on the spot by one of the officers despite lying unarmed and defenseless on the ground.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
Before his team manhandled Miami, Vrabel gave voice to this during a pregame radio interview when answering if the Patriots might rest starters in order to preserve their health for the playoffs.
—Andrew Callahan, Hartford Courant, 5 Jan. 2026
Coogan’s improbable honor was a beautiful bit of symbolism that recognized the manner in which these hard-nosed Hoosiers physically manhandled the Crimson Tide to reach the College Football Playoff semifinals with their 38-3 victory Thursday.
—Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manhandled
Verb
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The woman who spoke to the FBI about Staley also alleged she’d been abused by Leon Black, a billionaire and former CEO of Apollo Global Management.—
Curt Devine,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Judge Nancy Abudu — appointed by Joe Biden — said the state and federal government failed to show that the district court abused its power.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Boerkircher, playing at Nebraska, bullied Hunter for more than 15 yards before Hunter ripped off his helmet.—
Mark Long,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
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Lewis had previously bullied King and took advantage of his kind nature and limited mental capabilities, King’s relatives wrote in a GoFundMe post.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When the newlyweds arrive home, they are attacked by Naz and his henchman (played by Matt Willig).—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
27 Apr. 2026
-
On Friday, April 24, cattle breeder Santiago Barrero San Román was attacked by the bull at the San Marcos Festival in the remote southern Spanish town of Beas de Segura, according to El País, ABC and La Razón.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The kidnappers didn’t care and tortured the family with 2 notes knowing the FBI would not recommend paying a ransom without proof of life.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
22 Apr. 2026
-
In July 2013, Anderson and Walker were found bound, gagged, tortured and shot to death in Anderson’s home, according to police.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Most occur as the closing credits roll, whether pretending to be viciously mauled by a bear or, even more unnervingly, clearly superimposing his face onto the body of a performing cellist.—
Jon O'Brien,
IndieWire,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Not sure ringing bells is going to do much to stop a person from getting mauled.—
David Hookstead OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The violence then shifted to Brookhaven, where Mathews was ambushed and shot several times outside a business center.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Some residents say frustrations over the guard eased after two members of the West Virginia contingent were ambushed just blocks from the White House, killing Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and severely injuring her colleague.—
Gary Fields,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Canadian researchers found that older adults who were maltreated as children may face a significantly higher risk of cancer decades later.—
Rob Williams,
EverydayHealth.com,
22 Apr. 2026
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The Adams County Health and Human Services Department’s initial assessment indicated that the infant was maltreated, though a final autopsy report is still pending, TMZ reported.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Though city leaders agreed the street designation would be a proper way to honor Walton’s legacy, Councilmember Laura Lothian said the idea was mishandled when it was introduced without including Harris.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
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Boston initially got a gift when a Masataka Yoshida grounder to second was mishandled and then thrown away by Twins second baseman Luke Keaschall, allowing two runs to score, and Story followed that with his three-run bomb to left field.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Manhandled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manhandled. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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