manhandle
Americanverb (used with object)
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to handle roughly.
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to move by human strength, without the use of mechanical appliances.
verb
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to handle or push (someone) about roughly
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to move or do by manpower rather than by machinery
Etymology
Origin of manhandle
Explanation
When you manhandle something, you pick it up, push it, or pull it roughly. You might gasp watching movers manhandle your fragile furniture as they load it into a moving van. You can manhandle things, and you can also manhandle people, shoving or grabbing them. If security workers at the airport manhandle a little old lady, nearby passengers will probably speak up in her defense. This current meaning arose in the late nineteenth century — earlier, manhandle meant "attack an enemy," and before that, "wield a tool."
Vocabulary lists containing manhandle
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As long as he's not too tight at the weight then I think he can bully and manhandle Smith, being the naturally bigger guy.
From BBC • Jan. 18, 2023
One effect of Title IX as it approaches its 50th anniversary is this: It created not just stronger women but ones who know a muscle-bound court ruling that might manhandle them when they see it.
From Washington Post • May 13, 2022
BYU was a 19 ½-point favorite and was expected to manhandle the Eagles.
From Seattle Times • Nov. 20, 2021
I know Chase Young can manhandle a blocking sled.
From Washington Times • Sep. 27, 2021
He sits up and reads from his phone, ‘“Vancouver, Washington, police manhandle black teen at house party.’”
From "Piecing Me Together" by Renée Watson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
