Mishandle

Quick meaning: Mishandle is a verb meaning (transitive) To manipulate something roughly, causing physical damage.

Meaning

(transitive) To manipulate something roughly, causing physical damage.

More Meanings

1. (transitive) To deal with a situation incorrectly or ineffectively; to make a mistake in handling a situation.
2. Rough manipulation which causes physical damage.
3. Ineffective or incorrect deal.
4. Improper, wrong, or bad usage or treatment; abuse.

Example Sentences

If you mishandle a fragile package, the contents may break.

The prime minister was accused of mishandling the diplomatic crisis.

Mr. Trump faces 31 counts of violating the Espionage Act, which makes it a crime to mishandle national security secrets.

Naturally, the wisdom of striking to remedy grievances was questioned; but there were few dissentients from the view that the Government and B.T.C. are mishandling the human relations involved.

Word Forms

• mishandles
• mishandling
• mishandled

Synonyms for mishandle

Depending on context, synonyms include misuse, abuse, maul, mismanage, blunder, muff.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include flub, foul up, blunder, mismanage, botch, bungle.

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