1
as in to abuse
to abuse physically
charges that the police manhandled peaceful protesters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to bully
to inflict physical or emotional harm upon
if you see anyone manhandling a child, you should call the authorities
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 manhandle
Did something get squashed en route, then manhandled by Kennedy?
—
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
16 Apr. 2026
Boston also struggled with its perimeter shooting (eight made 3-pointers on a season-low-tying 28 attempts) but manhandled the Raptors inside, setting a new franchise record for points in the paint (76) in the play-by-play era.
—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
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
Stella was torn between getting it right and being manhandled by Meredith.
—
Literary Hub,
13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for manhandle
Erin Vanderhoof,
Vanity Fair,
16 Apr. 2026
Boston also struggled with its perimeter shooting (eight made 3-pointers on a season-low-tying 28 attempts) but manhandled the Raptors inside, setting a new franchise record for points in the paint (76) in the play-by-play era.
—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
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
Stella was torn between getting it right and being manhandled by Meredith.
—
Literary Hub,
13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for manhandle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manhandle
Verb
-
For more on how attackers can abuse connected devices, see our report on how the FBI warned that more than 1 million Android devices were hijacked by malware.
-
Some dogs fear brooms, vacuum cleaners or other household products, particularly if they’ve been hurt or abused in the past.
Verb
-
This was a rabid, partisan home-soil advantage that flat-out bullied the squad into surviving.
-
They got bullied in that one, showing a tremendous lack of physicality.
Verb
-
Chris Brown was found liable by a Los Angeles jury on Tuesday for $13 million in the gruesome case of a dog that mauled and disfigured his housekeeper at his home in 2020.
-
Back in the ring, Oba mauled Jey as the Kingdom Arena began rumbling again.
Verb
-
Platner is also an unfaithful spouse who mistreats women.
-
One example would be laws prohibiting humans from mistreating AIs psychologically or physically.
Verb
-
Its job is to educate the public, adopt regulations and investigate, audit and penalize businesses that mishandle personal information.
-
Michael Clark was released from prison in 2025 after his lawyers argued that DNA evidence in the case was mishandled by Woods, but prosecutors are seeking to retry him.
Verb
-
Described as a biting political thriller in the tradition of Wild in the Streets and V for Vendetta, The Hunted is set in a dystopian America where trans people are brutalized and erased to the margins of society.
-
Family Photo The family had fled the Congo after Carine, an activist, was brutalized for speaking out against the ruling regime.
Verb
-
He is accused of attacking a 27-year-old man with a beer mug inside the Hula Bar on Saturday night.
-
Liv Morgan controversially interrupted Iyo Sky's coronation, attacking her and forcing a tap-out.
Verb
-
The Jackson County charges came after police accused Sanchez-Munoz in a series of shootings in Kansas City that left one man, Jeremy Keenan, dead and four others injured on June 16.
-
French and Ukrainian media reported that a Ukrainian magnate and his family were those injured.
Cite this Entry
“Manhandle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manhandle. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
