Synonyms of mishandling

mishandling 1 of 2

noun

as in mismanagement

Related Words

• mismanagement
• misuse
• abuse
• misapplication
• mismanaging
• mistreatment
• maltreatment
• perversion
• misusage
• ill-treatment
• destruction
• wrecking
• misemployment
• misutilization
• spoiling
• damage
• ill-usage
• desecration
• debasement
• corruption
• profanation
• ruin
• prostitution

Dissimilar Words

• use
• application
• employment
• utilization

mishandling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of mishandle

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in manhandling

to abuse physically

adopted a sadly mishandled puppy from the pound

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

3

as in damaging

to manage badly

we took over as soon as we realized that the fill-in had been mishandling the situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• damaging
• mismanaging
• violating
• abusing
• misconducting
• misgoverning
• mistreating
• misusing
• maladministering
• misruling
• bungling
• harming
• hurting
• maltreating
• botching
• ill-treating
• ill-using

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• handling
• governing
• managing
• ruling
• protecting
• helping
• caring (for)
• husbanding
• aiding
• nurturing
• rescuing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of mishandling

Noun

Hur, following his investigation into Biden’s alleged mishandling of classified documents, released a lengthy report in February 2024 that concluded no criminal charges were warranted against Biden. — Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026

Shilts made history as the first out gay reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, and then again with this landmark book about the mishandling of the AIDS crisis in its early days. — Michael Schaub, Oc Register, 25 June 2026

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

Verb

In March, the owner of a Colorado funeral home was sentenced to 18 years in prison for mishandling nearly 190 dead bodies, cheating customers and defrauding the federal government through loan applications. — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026

During Wednesday's press conference, NAACP President Derrick Johnson accused investigators of mishandling the case. — Elise Gregg, NPR, 22 July 2026

Gill, an attorney for the health system, was named CEO of the Florida hospitals earlier this year after the company’s founder was ousted over allegations related to mishandling money. — Verónica Egui Brito july 16, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026

The two sides publicly savaged each other, with dueling allegations of mishandling forensic evidence, among other things. — Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 30 June 2026

In late 2022, Live Nation and its subsidiary Ticketmaster faced widespread backlash after mishandling ticket sales for Taylor Swift’s 2022 ‘Eras’ tour. — Sydney Goh, CNBC, 27 June 2026

The lawsuit also accuses emergency responders and dispatchers of mishandling the aftermath by prioritizing treatment and transport of the deputy over the couple, who were more seriously injured, delaying critical medical care. — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 22 June 2026

In May, a Department of Insurance investigation accused State Farm of mishandling wildfire survivors’ claims, and sought penalties and corrective measures from the provider. — Haley Parsley june 10, Sacbee.com, 10 June 2026

Todd and Julie Chrisley are suing their former defense attorneys for allegedly mishandling their criminal case that landed them in prison. — Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 9 June 2026