mishandle

[mis-han-dl]

verb (used with object)

mishandled, mishandling 

1. to handle badly; maltreat.

   to mishandle a dog.

2. to manage badly.

   to mishandle an estate.

3. to lose or misplace.

   to mishandle baggage.

mishandle

/ ˌmɪsˈhændəl /

verb

1. (tr) to handle or treat badly or inefficiently

Word History and Origins

Origin of mishandle¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; mis- ¹ + handle

Example Sentences

This new detail follows a BBC investigation into the Church in Wales which heard from victims of abuse who said their safeguarding cases were mishandled.

Read more on BBC

The company, accused of mishandling hazardous waste at its retail locations, will pay nearly $78,000 to Sacramento County and to several California cities and counties.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Police said they were working through "hundreds of lines of inquiry" as part of the investigation into alleged mishandling of cremated remains and alleged fraud.

Read more on BBC

He faced charges in the same courthouse, before the same judge, in a criminal case over alleged mishandling of classified documents from his first term in the White House.

Read more on BBC

But the youngest of the group, Fiorella, remains behind bars despite claims that he is intellectually disabled and that his case was mishandled.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• botch 
• bungle 
• err 
• flub 
• fumble 
• misdirect 
• mistreat 
• misuse 
• muff