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

The Irish Data Protection Commissioner has also previously fined Meta more than €1bn over mishandling people's data when transferring it between Europe and the United States.

From BBC

Last year, Mr Smith brought charges against Trump over the alleged mishandling of classified documents and his suspected role in attempting to thwart the transfer of power after the 2020 presidential election.

From BBC

Smith is also leading a case against Trump over his alleged mishandling of classified documents after he left the White House, charges Trump denies.

From BBC

Special Counsel Jack Smith has indicted Mr Trump over alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election, and over his alleged mishandling of classified documents.

From BBC

Those included state and federal charges of election tampering and another federal indictment alleging the criminal mishandling of secret documents.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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