Synonyms of manhandling

manhandling

verb

present participle of manhandle

1

as in abusing

to abuse physically

charges that the police manhandled peaceful protesters

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abusing
• attacking
• mauling
• mishandling
• ambushing
• torturing
• maltreating
• beating
• slapping
• injuring
• battering
• roughing (up)
• mistreating
• hurting
• pummeling
• misusing
• wounding
• wrestling
• licking
• fighting
• harming
• thrashing
• persecuting
• roughhousing
• knocking
• bashing
• ill-treating
• pounding
• oppressing
• hitting
• lambasting
• buffeting
• wronging
• tormenting
• clobbering
• ill-using
• jumping
• assailing
• drubbing
• pommeling
• ganging up (on)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fondling
• caressing
• petting
• coddling
• pampering
• fostering
• nurturing
• caring (for)
• mollycoddling

2

as in bullying

to inflict physical or emotional harm upon

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abusing
• bullying
• torturing
• mistreating
• brutalizing
• mishandling
• misusing
• injuring
• maltreating
• oppressing
• ill-treating
• violating
• taking apart
• harassing
• hurting
• persecuting
• ill-using
• molesting
• messing over
• tormenting
• kicking around
• harming
• outraging
• victimizing
• wronging
• working (over)
• sandbagging
• beating (up)
• burning
• roughing (up)
• messing (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fostering
• nurturing
• caring (for)
• cherishing
• gratifying
• favoring
• spoiling
• indulging
• coddling
• humoring
• catering (to)
• pampering
• babying
• mollycoddling

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of manhandling

Ashley Delaney of Polk City, who has served on the district's board since 2024, was charged in May with misdemeanor assault for allegedly manhandling the student. — William Morris, Des Moines Register, 14 Aug. 2026

But this year’s edition could be the best one yet, and the Wolverines will get a chance to prove that next week in Indianapolis after manhandling Tennessee 95-62 yesterday at the United Center to clinch a spot in the Final Four. — Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026

The Illini literally soaked in the celebration Thursday night after manhandling hometown favorite Houston to advance to the Elite 8 for the second time in three years. — Ryan Baker, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026

Lee had been caught on video back in 2017 shouting at a woman who was reportedly his girlfriend, manhandling her and calling her names, in a confrontation allegedly broken up by a teammate. — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2026

Social media served up a daily video deluge of heavily armed agents randomly manhandling dark-skinned people. — Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026

That’s exactly how the Miami Dolphins performed in Sunday’s 30-13 win against the Buffalo Bills in a contest Miami controlled all game, manhandling the reigning AFC East division champions to prove that the 2025 season isn’t over. — Miami Herald, 9 Nov. 2025

But even with Mizzou being able to do what it’s been doing — manhandling the trenches and milking the clock — the results were somewhat spoiled. — Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2025

San Francisco tackle Williams is 6-foot-5 and 320, and has been manhandling NFL linemen since Hufanga was a boy running around his parents’ farm in Oregon. — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 6 Aug. 2025