1
as in to abuse
to abuse physically
charges that the police manhandled peaceful protesters
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to bully
to inflict physical or emotional harm upon
if you see anyone manhandling a child, you should call the authorities
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of manhandle
Boston also struggled with its perimeter shooting (eight made 3-pointers on a season-low-tying 28 attempts) but manhandled the Raptors inside, setting a new franchise record for points in the paint (76) in the play-by-play era.
—
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
But this year’s edition could be the best one yet, and the Wolverines will get a chance to prove that next week in Indianapolis after manhandling Tennessee 95-62 yesterday at the United Center to clinch a spot in the Final Four.
—Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Stella was torn between getting it right and being manhandled by Meredith.
—Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026
Still, Garcia, 27, was able to manhandle Barrios most of the night to claim Barrios’ WBC welterweight belt, his first title.
—John Whisler, San Antonio Express-News, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for manhandle
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
But this year’s edition could be the best one yet, and the Wolverines will get a chance to prove that next week in Indianapolis after manhandling Tennessee 95-62 yesterday at the United Center to clinch a spot in the Final Four.
—Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Stella was torn between getting it right and being manhandled by Meredith.
—Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026
Still, Garcia, 27, was able to manhandle Barrios most of the night to claim Barrios’ WBC welterweight belt, his first title.
—John Whisler, San Antonio Express-News, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for manhandle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manhandle
Verb
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According to Lewkowitz, if a grower abuses the soil, the system ceases to be viable, leaving zero likelihood of success from a sustainability standpoint.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
27 Apr. 2026
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Intermediate scrutiny is why men abuse women at such high rates and get away with it.—
Wendy Murphy,
Boston Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Unfortunately, Trump’s bullying style of diplomacy does not engender a willingness by allies and friends to step forward and provide assistance to our efforts in Iran.—
Tom Jurkowsky,
Baltimore Sun,
25 Apr. 2026
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Boerkircher, playing at Nebraska, bullied Hunter for more than 15 yards before Hunter ripped off his helmet.—
Mark Long,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The arrangement appeared to be working out well until that morning, when less than an hour after Loyalty's arrival, Miller called 911 to report that the boy had been mauled by her two Great Dane/Mastiff mixes.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
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Most occur as the closing credits roll, whether pretending to be viciously mauled by a bear or, even more unnervingly, clearly superimposing his face onto the body of a performing cellist.—
Jon O'Brien,
IndieWire,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That says a lot about Michael rescuing other people who felt that they were being abused, mistreated.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
26 Apr. 2026
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Advocates say the family is worried that if they're returned to Egypt, they'll be labeled as terrorists and be targeted by the Egyptian government and mistreated.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In August 2024, the two were ordered to pay nearly $1 billion to families who sued the couple for mishandling dead relatives' bodies.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
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Dylan Chambost’s long ball-ahead was mishandled by defender Olwethu Makhanya.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Nikitin was drugged and brutalized by his captors in the Soviet psychiatric prisons.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
15 Apr. 2026
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However, human rights groups say migrants are being brutalized and pushed back illegally at EU borders, while legal protections are increasingly being hollowed out.—
Sam McNeil,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Democrats have attacked these anti-fraud policies as an effort to undermine safety net programs for the impoverished.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
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The latest war erupted on March 2, when, after holding its fire since a 2024 truce, Hezbollah launched a surprise barrage of missiles into northern Israel in retaliation for the United States and Israel attacking Iran.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Police said the driver of the SUV was not injured and is cooperating with investigators.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
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Joshua Jahn, 29, killed a detainee, injured two others and fatally shot himself.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Manhandle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manhandle. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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