Synonyms

manhandle

American

[man-han-dl, man-han-dl] / ˈmænˌhæn dl, mænˈhæn dl /

verb (used with object)

manhandled, manhandling

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

manhandle British

/ ˌmænˈhændəl, ˈmænˌhændəl /

verb

to handle or push (someone) about roughly
to move or do by manpower rather than by machinery

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of manhandle

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

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.

Are they why he explodes out of his stance to manhandle defenders in the run game?

From Washington Post • Apr. 13, 2023

“You’re not going to get a long ways trying to manhandle the bike or pedal forcefully,” Acheson said.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 9, 2022

It was now left to Ian to manhandle the larger section of the stone into the boot of the car.

From BBC • Oct. 5, 2022

I know Chase Young can manhandle a blocking sled.

From Washington Times • Sep. 27, 2021

He’d manhandle one of the beleaguered cats up onto the keyboard and coax it with a scrap of ham to walk back and forth.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023