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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of manhandled
The Pats manhandled Denver in the AFC Championship Game, thanks mostly to defensive tackles Milton Williams and Christian Barmore.
—
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 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
The defensive interior was manhandled for most of the season, and in each of their three regular-season losses, the Trojans were trampled on the ground.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
The Vikings tried to put linebacker Blake Cashman on the line of scrimmage for a blitz look on that play, and Booker completely manhandled him.
—Derrik Klassen, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025
James Cook carried the rock 32 times for 144 yards and the offensive line thoroughly manhandled Mike Tomlin’s defense.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 1 Dec. 2025
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 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
The defensive interior was manhandled for most of the season, and in each of their three regular-season losses, the Trojans were trampled on the ground.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
The Vikings tried to put linebacker Blake Cashman on the line of scrimmage for a blitz look on that play, and Booker completely manhandled him.
—Derrik Klassen, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025
James Cook carried the rock 32 times for 144 yards and the offensive line thoroughly manhandled Mike Tomlin’s defense.
—Chris Bumbaca, USA Today, 1 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manhandled
Verb
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The complaint alleges that the late singer abused the four siblings at international and national tour stops as well as at his Santa Barbara County estate, Neverland Ranch.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
-
During the investigation, multiple other individuals reported that Joachim had abused them in the late 1990s and early 2000s.—
Michael Cuviello,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Do not procrastinate — and do not be bullied, either by your spouse or your attorney!—
Terry Savage,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Similarly, the defense insists, Oak View Group wasn’t bullied but instead pursued opportunities for collaboration.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Iranian regime has harassed and attacked international shipping in the Gulf of Oman for decades.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Four years ago, Russia attacked Ukraine, and oil shot up 50% in a matter of weeks, north of $100 a barrel.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Experts see positive trends Despite California’s long and tortured history with auto insurance, rates in the state remain below the national average.—
Kevinisha Walker,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
-
One of them was a person whose eight-month-old baby was tortured in front of his eyes.—
Cora Engelbrecht,
New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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An Arizona mother of two was mauled to death by three dogs in a horrific attack while protecting her son outside her mother’s Southern California home.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The 2000s brought Nick Jans’ The Grizzly Maze, which painted a layered, nuanced portrait of Timothy Treadwell, a man who lived alongside coastal brown bears in Katmai Alaska for thirteen summers before being mauled by a bear in 2003.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Prosecutors allege the gunmen tracked Bowman to Los Angeles and ambushed him at a gas station near the Beverly Center, firing at least 18 rounds from multiple weapons, including a machine gun.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Flying through blizzard conditions, his squadron was ambushed by seven Soviet fighter planes.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Social media can’t replace offline resources for children who are being maltreated.—
Laura Schwab Reese,
The Conversation,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In November, a federal judge raised concerns that agents mishandled or destroyed key physical evidence in the case.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Freeman floated a ball into the box, and it was mishandled by the Bishop Kenny goalkeeper and landed at the feet of sophomore forward Ariana Doles, who deposited it into the goal for her seventh tally of the year and a 1-0 lead.—
Gary Curreri,
Sun Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Manhandled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manhandled. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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