as in mismanagement
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1
as in abusing
to inflict physical or emotional harm upon
having been shuffled from foster home to foster home, the orphaned girl felt she had been mishandled by an uncaring society
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in manhandling
to abuse physically
adopted a sadly mishandled puppy from the pound
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3
as in damaging
to manage badly
we took over as soon as we realized that the fill-in had been mishandling the situation
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Recent Examples of mishandling
Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2026
House Democrats will introduce five articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday, accusing him of war crimes in connection with the Iran war, abuse of power and mishandling of the Department of Defense (DOD).
—Ryan Mancini, The Hill, 15 Apr. 2026
He was indicted on more than three dozen charges stemming from his alleged mishandling of sensitive government records, but the case ended after he was elected to a second term in November 2024.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Joseph States’ front-page News-Sun report last week detailed alleged mishandling of the youngster’s brutal history over a four-year period.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
The inquiry into Kent’s alleged mishandling of classified information reportedly predates his resignation, according to multiple people with knowledge of the matter, Semafor first reported.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 19 Mar. 2026
The agency has faced lawsuits over alleged mishandling of government data and DOGE's access to sensitive personal information.
—ABC News, 11 Mar. 2026
Hoping for justice Damage has been done by the mishandling of Thomas’ case, Friedland said — to him, their son, and Thomas’ family.
—Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2026
Kamin said city contractors working in the area alerted leaders to the mishandling of the bricks by the developer's workers.
—Yvette Orozco, Houston Chronicle, 14 Feb. 2026
Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
According to police, further investigation led to authorities finding several occasions when Kovarcik and Rahman were observed mishandling other children under their care.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2026
Read is suing Proctor for allegedly ignoring, mishandling, and manufacturing evidence while investigating her for the 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
The family of a stillborn baby has filed a lawsuit against a Pompano Beach funeral home, accusing the home of mishandling the baby’s unenbalmed remains and leaving him underneath the body of a 200-pound man.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
The year before that, the FTC dinged WW International, formerly Weight Watchers, for illegally collecting and mishandling data from Kurbo, a weight loss app for children.
—Sasha Richie, Dallas Morning News, 30 Mar. 2026
Rourke admitted to mishandling his career in his Instagram video.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
Documents released since December have included redaction errors, leaked victim identities, and ongoing complaints of mishandling by department officials.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
That hearing focused on the recent surge of agents to the state, as both sides pointed fingers at the other for mishandling of the situation in Minnesota.
—March 4, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Noun
On Facebook, the mother of the Poolville student-athlete in question said her son was approved for transfer with full eligibility, but the mishandling of the PAPF changed that.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2026
House Democrats will introduce five articles of impeachment against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday, accusing him of war crimes in connection with the Iran war, abuse of power and mishandling of the Department of Defense (DOD).
—Ryan Mancini, The Hill, 15 Apr. 2026
He was indicted on more than three dozen charges stemming from his alleged mishandling of sensitive government records, but the case ended after he was elected to a second term in November 2024.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
Joseph States’ front-page News-Sun report last week detailed alleged mishandling of the youngster’s brutal history over a four-year period.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
The inquiry into Kent’s alleged mishandling of classified information reportedly predates his resignation, according to multiple people with knowledge of the matter, Semafor first reported.
—Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 19 Mar. 2026
The agency has faced lawsuits over alleged mishandling of government data and DOGE's access to sensitive personal information.
—ABC News, 11 Mar. 2026
Hoping for justice Damage has been done by the mishandling of Thomas’ case, Friedland said — to him, their son, and Thomas’ family.
—Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2026
Kamin said city contractors working in the area alerted leaders to the mishandling of the bricks by the developer's workers.
—Yvette Orozco, Houston Chronicle, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
According to police, further investigation led to authorities finding several occasions when Kovarcik and Rahman were observed mishandling other children under their care.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 20 Apr. 2026
Read is suing Proctor for allegedly ignoring, mishandling, and manufacturing evidence while investigating her for the 2022 death of her boyfriend Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
The family of a stillborn baby has filed a lawsuit against a Pompano Beach funeral home, accusing the home of mishandling the baby’s unenbalmed remains and leaving him underneath the body of a 200-pound man.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
The year before that, the FTC dinged WW International, formerly Weight Watchers, for illegally collecting and mishandling data from Kurbo, a weight loss app for children.
—Sasha Richie, Dallas Morning News, 30 Mar. 2026
Rourke admitted to mishandling his career in his Instagram video.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2026
Documents released since December have included redaction errors, leaked victim identities, and ongoing complaints of mishandling by department officials.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
That hearing focused on the recent surge of agents to the state, as both sides pointed fingers at the other for mishandling of the situation in Minnesota.
—March 4, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mishandling
Noun
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Meanwhile, Jackson’s daughter, Paris Jackson, has been involved in an ongoing legal battle with the executors of the Michael Jackson estate Branca and McClain, alleging financial mismanagement, excessive fees and self-serving bonus payments.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Its outdated business model, exorbitant levels of debt, and years of general mismanagement is unloved by investors and out of step with what the market demands today — more premium seating targeting affluent and business travelers.—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The White House declined to comment on the allegations against former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who stepped down last week after multiple allegations of abusing her position’s power, including having an affair with a subordinate and drinking alcohol on the job.—
Ana Ceballos
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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Under the plan, FISA, which allows warrantless wiretapping of noncitizens, would be extended for three years, with new oversight guardrails and penalties for abusing the spy tool.—
Hailey Bullis,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The Illini literally soaked in the celebration Thursday night after manhandling hometown favorite Houston to advance to the Elite 8 for the second time in three years.—
Ryan Baker,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Wind gusts reached up to 110 mph, damaging homes throughout the city as the storm moved northeast.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Days of severe storms to come The shift in the weather pattern that sparked Thursday night’s storms will keep the threat level elevated for damaging wind gusts, hail and tornadoes in the central US into early next week.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The law protects patient information from misuse, not TPAs from plan audits.—
Jordan Bruneau,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Her case is one of several federal prosecutions in Georgia tied to alleged misuse of pandemic unemployment benefits, as officials continue to investigate fraud connected to COVID-era relief programs.—
CBS News Atlanta Digital Team,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
His campaign is gaining momentum at a time when many of the administration’s steadfast Christian backers—alarmed by the president’s bullying campaign against Pope Leo XIV in recent weeks, among other heresies—have been rethinking their support.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Winger Xavi Simons’ anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injury will keep him out for some time, with striker Dominic Solanke also pulling up — albeit his ailment appears less serious — at Molineux to cast doubt over Spurs’ attacking firepower in the upcoming weeks.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
He was also found guilty of two counts of assault for attacking two other men with butcher knives.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But whether a potential second film would try to acknowledge the abuse allegations against Jackson, including those at the center of a 2005 trial that ended in his acquittal on all counts, is unclear.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
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Anyone with information on this case or other animal abuse cases is urged to contact the PSPCA's Cruelty Hotline at (866) 601-SPCA.—
Alexandra Simon,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mishandling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mishandling. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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