as in mismanagement
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1
as in abusing
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in manhandling
to abuse physically
adopted a sadly mishandled puppy from the pound
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3
as in damaging
to manage badly
we took over as soon as we realized that the fill-in had been mishandling the situation
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Recent Examples of mishandling
Abigail Brooks, NBC news, 13 May 2026
Cox fired Tanner in May 1988 for his mishandling of the Braves’ young pitchers, replacing him with Nixon.
—Mark Bradley For The Ajc, AJC.com, 9 May 2026
The state Department of Insurance is seeking as much as $4 million in penalties from insurance giant State Farm due to its alleged mishandling of claims filed by survivors of the January 2025 wildfires that swept through the Los Angeles area.
—Amancai Biraben, Daily News, 4 May 2026
After several investigations drew attention to the mishandling of anatomical donations, lawmakers were alarmed at the lack of regulations governing body donation – and the inability of state officials to hold some companies to existing rules.
—Dug Begley, Houston Chronicle, 4 May 2026
On Facebook, the mother of the Poolville student-athlete in question said her son was approved for transfer with full eligibility, but the mishandling of the PAPF changed that.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2026
House Democrats will introduce five articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday, accusing him of war crimes in connection with the Iran war, abuse of power and mishandling of the Department of Defense (DOD).
—Ryan Mancini, The Hill, 15 Apr. 2026
He was indicted on more than three dozen charges stemming from his alleged mishandling of sensitive government records, but the case ended after he was elected to a second term in November 2024.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Joseph States’ front-page News-Sun report last week detailed alleged mishandling of the youngster’s brutal history over a four-year period.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 15 May 2026
Lara launched the investigation last June after survivors of the Palisades and Eaton fires said that State Farm was delaying and mishandling claims regarding damage to their homes and possible contamination from smoke.
—Tran Nguyen, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
In August 2024, the two were ordered to pay nearly $1 billion to families who sued the couple for mishandling dead relatives' bodies.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
According to police, further investigation led to authorities finding several occasions when Kovarcik and Rahman were observed mishandling other children under their care.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2026
The family of a stillborn baby has filed a lawsuit against a Pompano Beach funeral home, accusing the home of mishandling the baby’s unenbalmed remains and leaving him underneath the body of a 200-pound man.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
The year before that, the FTC dinged WW International, formerly Weight Watchers, for illegally collecting and mishandling data from Kurbo, a weight loss app for children.
—Sasha Richie, Dallas Morning News, 30 Mar. 2026
Rourke admitted to mishandling his career in his Instagram video.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
Documents released since December have included redaction errors, leaked victim identities, and ongoing complaints of mishandling by department officials.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
The mishandling of pregnancies behind bars is a widespread problem, with women around the country saying they were neglected or harmed while they were locked up.
—Abigail Brooks, NBC news, 13 May 2026
Cox fired Tanner in May 1988 for his mishandling of the Braves’ young pitchers, replacing him with Nixon.
—Mark Bradley For The Ajc, AJC.com, 9 May 2026
The state Department of Insurance is seeking as much as $4 million in penalties from insurance giant State Farm due to its alleged mishandling of claims filed by survivors of the January 2025 wildfires that swept through the Los Angeles area.
—Amancai Biraben, Daily News, 4 May 2026
After several investigations drew attention to the mishandling of anatomical donations, lawmakers were alarmed at the lack of regulations governing body donation – and the inability of state officials to hold some companies to existing rules.
—Dug Begley, Houston Chronicle, 4 May 2026
On Facebook, the mother of the Poolville student-athlete in question said her son was approved for transfer with full eligibility, but the mishandling of the PAPF changed that.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2026
House Democrats will introduce five articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday, accusing him of war crimes in connection with the Iran war, abuse of power and mishandling of the Department of Defense (DOD).
—Ryan Mancini, The Hill, 15 Apr. 2026
He was indicted on more than three dozen charges stemming from his alleged mishandling of sensitive government records, but the case ended after he was elected to a second term in November 2024.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Joseph States’ front-page News-Sun report last week detailed alleged mishandling of the youngster’s brutal history over a four-year period.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
Schwarber’s departure to free agency after the 2021 Red Sox season is overshadowed by the club’s mishandling of stars such as Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers and Alex Bregman.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 15 May 2026
Lara launched the investigation last June after survivors of the Palisades and Eaton fires said that State Farm was delaying and mishandling claims regarding damage to their homes and possible contamination from smoke.
—Tran Nguyen, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
In August 2024, the two were ordered to pay nearly $1 billion to families who sued the couple for mishandling dead relatives' bodies.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
According to police, further investigation led to authorities finding several occasions when Kovarcik and Rahman were observed mishandling other children under their care.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2026
The family of a stillborn baby has filed a lawsuit against a Pompano Beach funeral home, accusing the home of mishandling the baby’s unenbalmed remains and leaving him underneath the body of a 200-pound man.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
The year before that, the FTC dinged WW International, formerly Weight Watchers, for illegally collecting and mishandling data from Kurbo, a weight loss app for children.
—Sasha Richie, Dallas Morning News, 30 Mar. 2026
Rourke admitted to mishandling his career in his Instagram video.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
Documents released since December have included redaction errors, leaked victim identities, and ongoing complaints of mishandling by department officials.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mishandling
Noun
-
Much of the money poured into those projects is believed to have been lost to years of gross mismanagement, inflated contracts and corruption schemes involving officials tied to Venezuela’s socialist regime.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2026
-
People who have had enough of mismanagement in our government.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Any crackdown should protect that access while still going after the bad actors abusing the system.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
17 May 2026
-
Authorities accused her of abusing and neglecting Noel.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
Verb
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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,
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
Verb
-
Here's how to clean a touchscreen without damaging it.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
16 May 2026
-
Be sure your mower has a chute blocker and point the chute towards your own property, not the neighbor’s, to avoid making a mess or damaging their cars.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
In a statement to USA TODAY, a Samsung spokesperson said the company denies any intentional misuse and said the image was provided through a third-party content partner for Samsung TV Plus, its free streaming service.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
-
The audits had confirmed the news reports of Cheng’s prolific misuse of his CSCU credit card and his generous relocation benefit to move from northern Westchester County on the Connecticut border to the Constitution State.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Police say another mother, identified in the affidavit as Jada Hayes, remained in the parking lot after the meeting to speak with Dunmars about allegations that Dunmars’ child was bullying her own child.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
-
Among her efforts at LJES was working with then-principal Stephanie Hasselbrink on ways to reduce conflict and bullying among students.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Both sides accuse the other of intentionally attacking civilian targets.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
-
So when attacking midfielder Nick Moon carried the ball down the left wing in the eighth minute, AC Boise bodies began rushing into the box.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
These groups are specifically designed to help support people in relationships with those struggling with substance abuse.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
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Constant changes and slow IRS guidance led to widespread confusion and, eventually, abuse that forced the IRS to put a moratorium on claims on September 14, 2023 until August 8, 2024.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mishandling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mishandling. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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