1
as in to abuse
to inflict physical or emotional harm upon
having been shuffled from foster home to foster home, the orphaned girl felt she had been mishandled by an uncaring society
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to manhandle
to abuse physically
adopted a sadly mishandled puppy from the pound
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to mismanage
to manage badly
we took over as soon as we realized that the fill-in had been mishandling the situation
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 mishandle
Most people miss what triggers really mean: unpack them for success
Most people mishandle emotional responses.
—
Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Some community members at that time said Brooks was to blame for mishandling the situation.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2025
Stines' defense team alleged that the prosecution mishandled grand jury proceedings.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Freeman went to third when Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil mishandled the relay throw and then scored on a ground out.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for mishandle
Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Some community members at that time said Brooks was to blame for mishandling the situation.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2025
Stines' defense team alleged that the prosecution mishandled grand jury proceedings.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
Freeman went to third when Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil mishandled the relay throw and then scored on a ground out.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for mishandle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mishandle
Verb
-
The court gave a win to the Trump administration as officials have repeatedly complained about federal judges blocking the president’s policies and claimed judges are abusing their power and are biased against him politically.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
-
But even more terrifying than the guard dogs were those abused by local miscreants that trained dogs to fight.—
Thomas Cangelosi,
Hartford Courant,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
Bronte looks fabulous in a slinky green dress, but Clayton’s unwelcome arrival upsets her until Clayton manhandles her and Joe beasts out, shoving him into a bookcase and telling him to leave her alone.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Brooks, a 43-year-old Black man, was punched, kicked, choked and manhandled in the Dec. 9 beating at Marcy Correctional Facility north of Utica.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Along with claims that Davenport mismanaged the school's finances, Bauer said the ex-superintendent also lied about the number of students enrolled at Dohn, claiming there were 1,600 students when the real number was only 600.—
Quinlan Bentley,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
-
Most public restaurant chains today are overly complex, mismanaged, or stuck in a strategic identity crisis.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
Verb
-
Cameras are expected to return to Broward County’s special-needs classrooms to help parents determine whether their child may have been abused or mistreated at school.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
26 June 2025
-
The Russian leader would be the cleaning lady who was overlooked and mistreated by the scientists in the good old days but who, uh, showed those silly male scientists who the real boss was when the zombies showed up.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2025
Verb
-
Matteo is one part of what Sandoval calls the best lineout and maul in the country, giving credit to coach Ethan Willis.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 June 2025
-
The Tigers obliterated the Red Sox in a 14-2 rout, mauling Tanner Houck for 11 runs in 2.1 innings in one of the worst starts by any starting pitcher in the majors so far this year.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
13 May 2025
Verb
-
Well, in Alva’s case, in the months after her very public divorce, the New York Times society column straight up bullied her by writing stories about all the super fun parties and balls her sister-in-law Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt threw while Alva was in exile.—
Alexis Nedd,
IndieWire,
2 July 2025
-
For years, Griffin never talked about being bullied as a child.—
Brad Schmitt,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
But one cost of that strong-arm approach quickly became apparent when Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina announced his retirement right after after Trump attacked him for opposing the bill, creating an open seat that will become Democrats’ best Senate opportunity in 2026.—
Ronald Brownstein,
Twin Cities,
10 July 2025
-
In 1940: The Battle of Britain began as German forces bombed shipping convoys in the English Channel, attacking its ports and radar stations.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
Don't use harsh cleaners, which can damage the grates.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
1 July 2025
-
But opponents contend that industrial animal agriculture actually jeopardizes food security, by damaging local ecosystems, undermining traditional agricultural practices, and intensifying climate harms.—
Christine Ro,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mishandle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mishandle. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share