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

Mr Radcliffe also denied that an announcement about the cuts had been mishandled after it was alleged one senior boss dialled into the virtual meeting from a holiday villa.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Related Words

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