manhandle

[man-han-dl, man-han-dl]

verb (used with object)

manhandled, manhandling 

1. to handle roughly.

2. to move by human strength, without the use of mechanical appliances.

manhandle

/ ˌmænˈhændəl, ˈmænˌhændəl /

verb

1. to handle or push (someone) about roughly

2. to move or do by manpower rather than by machinery

Word History and Origins

Origin of manhandle¹

1425–75; late Middle English. See man, handle

Word History and Origins

Origin of manhandle¹

C19: from _man + _handle ; sense 1 perhaps also influenced by Devon dialect manangle to mangle

Example Sentences

They found themselves in the rare position of meeting a genuine chess celebrity, while also being manhandled by him on the board.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

“You don’t have to get treated like this, thrown on the floor and manhandled because of that.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A California senator was manhandled and dragged from a news conference for the sin of trying to ask a question of the Department of Homeland Security head, Kristi Noem.

Read more on Salon

Ms Tsehai said she was manhandled and choked by four assailants who forced her into a vehicle.

Read more on BBC

The manhandling of California Sen. Alex Padilla and his subsequent depiction by conservatives as a modern-day Pancho Villa isn’t surprising one bit.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• maltreat 
• maul 
• mistreat 
• rough up