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

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