1
as in abused
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in attacked
to abuse physically
adopted a sadly mishandled puppy from the pound
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in mismanaged
to manage badly
we took over as soon as we realized that the fill-in had been mishandling the situation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mishandled
Turang’s sacrifice bunt was mishandled at first base, putting runners on first and second.
—
ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Over the next 15 months, Alameda County social workers received at least seven reports that the girl was being abused — warnings that repeatedly were mishandled or went unheeded, according to an investigation by the Bay Area News Group.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
Like investigations were getting mishandled, employee investigations — which are a very big deal.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
In January, Washington’s mother, Mindi Crapo, filed a lawsuit in Dallas County court against Castro and Valles, alleging one or both were responsible for the crash and that the case was mishandled from the start.
—Chase Rogers, Dallas Morning News, 13 Mar. 2026
On an out-of-bounds play, the ball was mishandled by Damien and Crespi junior guard Carter Barnes tried to secure a steal.
—Dan Rios, Daily News, 6 Mar. 2026
In November, a federal judge raised concerns that agents mishandled or destroyed key physical evidence in the case.
—Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Freeman floated a ball into the box, and it was mishandled by the Bishop Kenny goalkeeper and landed at the feet of sophomore forward Ariana Doles, who deposited it into the goal for her seventh tally of the year and a 1-0 lead.
—Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2026
No after-action reports were needed to know that Los Angeles badly mishandled last January’s fires, which damaged or destroyed more than 18,000 structures, burned more than 37,000 acres and resulted in 31 direct deaths.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2026
ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
Over the next 15 months, Alameda County social workers received at least seven reports that the girl was being abused — warnings that repeatedly were mishandled or went unheeded, according to an investigation by the Bay Area News Group.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
Like investigations were getting mishandled, employee investigations — which are a very big deal.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
In January, Washington’s mother, Mindi Crapo, filed a lawsuit in Dallas County court against Castro and Valles, alleging one or both were responsible for the crash and that the case was mishandled from the start.
—Chase Rogers, Dallas Morning News, 13 Mar. 2026
On an out-of-bounds play, the ball was mishandled by Damien and Crespi junior guard Carter Barnes tried to secure a steal.
—Dan Rios, Daily News, 6 Mar. 2026
In November, a federal judge raised concerns that agents mishandled or destroyed key physical evidence in the case.
—Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Freeman floated a ball into the box, and it was mishandled by the Bishop Kenny goalkeeper and landed at the feet of sophomore forward Ariana Doles, who deposited it into the goal for her seventh tally of the year and a 1-0 lead.
—Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2026
No after-action reports were needed to know that Los Angeles badly mishandled last January’s fires, which damaged or destroyed more than 18,000 structures, burned more than 37,000 acres and resulted in 31 direct deaths.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mishandled
Verb
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Berman rehabilitates rabbits that are abandoned, neglected, abused, and in danger of being euthanized.—
Sharon Chin,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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Prosecutors argue that Duckett was a monster in disguise who abused the badge and brutally raped and killed Teresa before dumping her body in a lake.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Kuwait’s Al Salmi tanker was attacked at the port connected to the United Arab Emirates city better known as a destination for influencers, Reuters and The New York Times reported.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The Houthis have previously attacked commercial ships in the Red Sea to disrupt the flow of oil, gas and other commodities through the Bab el-Mandeb strait.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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When these kids finally managed to attend classes, they were beaten and bullied by classmates.—
Daniel Felsenthal,
Pitchfork,
4 Apr. 2026
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Hernandez was emphatic that nobody in her family bullied Rabell, who prior to landing at Hernandez’s home had been a client of DCF’s Adult Protective Services program.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Stella was torn between getting it right and being manhandled by Meredith.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The Pats manhandled Denver in the AFC Championship Game, thanks mostly to defensive tackles Milton Williams and Christian Barmore.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The helicopter landed in an area where there were no cars close enough to be damaged or to pose a risk, Davalos said.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
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The driver in front of him whose truck was damaged by Woods’ driving also walked away.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Surveys have found that significant numbers of trans workers report being fired, denied promotions, or mistreated on the job because of their gender identity, Orr said, contributing to broader economic disparities within the trans community.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
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Despite his status as a transfer, Dent mistreated UCLA’s rival from the jump.—
Aaron Heisen,
Oc Register,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The ban was previously enacted in 2009 after a resident was mauled by a pitbull.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
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The film features a scene in which Luke Skywalker is savagely mauled by the yetilike Wampa.—
Sanat Pai Raikar,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In other words, Raskin alleges someone at the DOJ may have violated a court order, a possible contempt issue.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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Friedman sided with The Times earlier this month, ruling that the Pentagon's new credential policy violated journalists' constitutional rights to free speech and due process.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mishandled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mishandled. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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