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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to manhandle
to abuse physically
adopted a sadly mishandled puppy from the pound
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mishandle
At least 15 senior Justice Department officials have been removed or reassigned, including one who played a key role in the FBI's search of Mar-a-Lago in August 2022 as prosecutors sought evidence that Trump had mishandled classified documents.
—
Zachary Basu, Axios, 23 Jan. 2025
Her term lasts until 2026. County commissioners will decide later this month whether to accept the recommendation to appoint Lancaster to the board, despite concerns by some that the open seat wasn’t properly advertised to the public and the application process was mishandled.
—Nora O’Neill, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2025
The program deploys the Texas National Guard and Department of Public Safety troops to try to stop people from crossing illegally into the U.S.
Abbott said the Biden administration mishandled immigration enforcement at the border and Operation Lone Star was a response to that.
—Ana Campbell, NPR, 31 Jan. 2025
Why Trump Decided to Leave the WHO In the executive order withdrawing from the WHO, President Trump said the organization mishandled its response to the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health crises.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mishandle
Zachary Basu, Axios, 23 Jan. 2025
Her term lasts until 2026. County commissioners will decide later this month whether to accept the recommendation to appoint Lancaster to the board, despite concerns by some that the open seat wasn’t properly advertised to the public and the application process was mishandled.
—Nora O’Neill, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2025
The program deploys the Texas National Guard and Department of Public Safety troops to try to stop people from crossing illegally into the U.S.
Abbott said the Biden administration mishandled immigration enforcement at the border and Operation Lone Star was a response to that.
—Ana Campbell, NPR, 31 Jan. 2025
Why Trump Decided to Leave the WHO In the executive order withdrawing from the WHO, President Trump said the organization mishandled its response to the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health crises.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for mishandle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mishandle
Verb
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The suit alleged Combs raped, drugged and physically abused her, the latter claim being supported by a 2016 hotel video obtained and released by CNN last year of the music producer dragging and hitting the singer.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
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While fentanyl is not widely abused in Mexico, methamphetamine addiction is commonplace.—
Greg Wehner,
Fox News,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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But much of the NL Central seems stagnant, the NL West has the Colorado Rockies to kick around, and the NL East can manhandle the Miami Marlins.—
Chad Jennings,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
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Arrested, we were manhandled and taken at frighteningly high speeds to a Polish police station.—
Avi Weiss,
New York Daily News,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The extreme risks taken by the production team inadvertently spotlighted the consequences of mismanaging wildlife instead of drawing attention to conservation.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
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Newsom accused Trump and his allies of spreading misinformation about the source of the fires, and Trump in turn accused Newsom and local officials of mismanaging the wildfire response.—
Lia Russell,
Sacramento Bee,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Having two more women from the production allegedly claim they were likewise mistreated by the director could push the saga from being perceived as a bitter feud into literal #MeToo territory.—
Pamela McClintock,
The Hollywood Reporter,
19 Feb. 2025
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The passengers survive a terrible storm before landing where they will be mistreated.—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2025
Verb
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They were mauled by the Proteas in the World Cup and were spun into submission by Jonathan Trott’s Afghan team.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
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Israel has mauled key Iranian proxies, but the Islamic Republic retains the bulk of its long-range missile and drone arsenal and could well sprint for nuclear weapons.—
Seth Cropsey,
National Review,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Hal was always bullied by his slightly older twin brother, Bill.—
Brian Davids,
The Hollywood Reporter,
21 Feb. 2025
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For nothing is more European, at least in today’s Europe, than being bullied by Russia while complaining about the United States.—
Dominic Green,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Despite losing all three, there were significant improvements collectively and individually, with contributions from attacking starlets Nico Paz, who scored against Atalanta, and Diao, who got the equaliser against Juventus.—
David Ferrini,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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The case, which generated headlines around the world, comes amid rising hostility against Muslims and Palestinians in the U.S. since Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023.—
Sophia Tareen and Melissa Perez Winder,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The Hoover Desk During former President Herbert Hoover's presidency in 1929, a fire severely damaged the West Wing of the White House, including the Oval Office.—
Greta Cross,
USA TODAY,
22 Feb. 2025
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To avoid damaging your countertop cooker, stick to a soft cloth like microfiber or a nonabrasive sponge when giving the inside a wipe down.—
Emily Farris,
Bon Appétit,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mishandle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mishandle. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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