manhandle

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

verb (used with object)

, man·han·dled, man·han·dling.

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

Some staff at the Life Wirral independent school were recorded by an undercover reporter manhandling pupils and using derogatory and homophobic language.

From BBC

Difficult to have any trust in Jets, who were absolutely manhandled by Arizona, but the Colts don’t have much to offer, either — plus, they’re on the road.

From Los Angeles Times

"That is where we are legally allowed to be physical and manhandle players, which will hopefully overflow into other moments on the field. When we scrum, we scrum to dominate."

From BBC

The Yankees mauled and mashed and manhandled the Dodgers in Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium, staving off a sweep with an 11-4 victory.

From Los Angeles Times

Some of the chains listed were victims of other economic factors, such as competition, or financial manhandling by their private equity owners.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• maltreat
• maul
• mistreat
• rough up