mishandle

[ mis-han-dl ]

verb (used with object)

, mis·han·dled, mis·han·dling.

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

An independent investigation found that Wada did not mishandle the case or show bias towards the Chinese swimmers.

From BBC

“With ‘Dazed and Confused,’ my first studio experience, I made what I thought was a wildly entertaining, crowd-pleasing film,” he says, “only to see the studio think it wasn’t and put it out in a really indie sort of way. That set a template for my thinking: They usually mishandle things. ‘

From Los Angeles Times

Wednesday was the best game that Clark had played all season, even if she did start 1 for 7 from the field and mishandle an inbound pass in the final seconds of the fourth quarter.

From Seattle Times

What's more is that in the case of both individuals, not only did they mishandle the documents by possessing them when no longer having an active need for them, but both Trump and Biden failed to adequately store these calling into question who might have gained access to the information that could cause either serious of exceptionally grave damage to the security of this country.

From Salon

Trump went on to mishandle the pandemic making the death toll much higher than it need be.

From Salon

Related Words

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