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to mishandle

to mishandle

20 4.9
Deal with something badly so it causes problems or damage
  • verb
  • /ˌmɪsˈhændl/
translation icon : manejar mal
  • Due to her failure to follow the instructions properly, she mishandled the equipment and caused damage.
  • mishandle a case

And what happens to so many people is that they mishandle it all, right?

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Examples

  • The man is extorting your family, and all because-- I'm sorry to put it this way, but all because of how badly you mishandled your duties as executor.

  • Several other women have now come forward alleging that the university mishandled their complaints of sexual assault.

    Academic text (2016)
  • And what happens to so many people is that they mishandle it all, right?

  • And because of that, he is going to mishandle the relationship.

  • While the fourth was a huge leap forward, Singer has done nothing but mishandle this franchise.

    Blog text (14)
  • But given the way that the government has mishandled this process, I do find myself wondering whether there are now only two options that remain.

  • What has now become clear is that Israel badly mishandled the conduct of the war.

    Academic text (2006)
  • State Farm took over the defense of the suit and willfully mishandled it.

    Academic text (2004)
  • And he should say that for three-plus years, the administration has mishandled the economy.

    Blog text (15)
  • A group of women is suing Baylor, claiming the school in Texas mishandled or ignored claims of sexual assault.

    Academic text (2017)

Synonyms

to mess
vsto mishandle
  • Informal
4.2

To handle something in a way that causes damage or problems

is about broader poor dealing that leads to harm
to screw up
vsto mishandle
  • Informal
641 6.3

To make a mistake that ruins what you are doing

covers poor management that causes problems, not just single errors
to mess up
vsto mishandle
  • Informal
597 2.8

To make a mistake that causes a problem

is used for bad dealing that causes problems rather than only errors
to fuck up
vsto mishandle
  • Offensive
203 9.9

To make a serious mistake that ruins something

has the same poor result but is more neutral and formal
to spoil
vsto mishandle
80 2.8

To make something less good or enjoyable

focuses on poor dealing that causes problems or physical damage
to botch
vsto mishandle
63 6.0

To do something badly and spoil the result

is about poor managing that causes problems beyond single tasks
to fuck it up
vsto mishandle
  • Offensive
37 9.9

To do something badly and ruin how it turns out

matches the idea but is less vulgar and slightly more formal
to fumble
vsto mishandle
19 3.5

To do something clumsily and make a mistake

applies to wider poor management that causes problems beyond slips
to bumble
vsto mishandle
18 5.4

To move in a clumsy, confused way

focuses on bad dealing that produces concrete problems or damage
to mismanage
vsto mishandle
17 4.8

To run something badly so it fails or causes problems

causes problems or damage through poor management
to bungle
vsto mishandle
16 6.8

To do something clumsily so it causes mistakes

covers wider poor dealing that can produce damage not only mistakes
to foul up
vsto mishandle
  • Informal
8 6.4

To make a mistake that ruins something because you are careless

is broader, covering poor management causing ongoing problems
to muff
vsto mishandle
5 8.2

To fail to catch or handle something because you are clumsy

describes broader bad management that causes harm or damage
to muck up
vsto mishandle
  • Informal
5 7.6

To ruin something by making mistakes or doing it badly

is similar but often used for poor dealing that damages systems
bungled
vsto mishandle
4 6.1

Made worse because someone handled it badly

highlights poor overall dealing that produces problems or damage
to louse up
vsto mishandle
  • Informal
4 8.1

To make a mess of a plan or task by doing it badly

is mainly about wrong dealing that leads to harm or trouble
botched
vsto mishandle
2 5.9

Ruined because someone did the job badly

emphasizes active poor dealing that produces problems or damage
to fluff
vsto mishandle
  • Informal
2 5.4

To make a mistake especially by forgetting words on stage

is used for more general poor management that harms results
to flub
vsto mishandle
  • Informal
2 6.8

To make an embarrassing mistake because you are careless or nervous

is more about ongoing poor dealing that produces problems
to botch up
vsto mishandle
  • Informal
2 6.7

Do a job badly and make a mess of it

is broader and covers any poor dealing that causes harm
to ball up
vsto mishandle
  • Informal
1 7.9

To do something badly and ruin how it turns out

describes wider poor dealing that can cause lasting damage
to crap up
vsto mishandle
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To ruin something by making a mistake or being careless

is the more formal term for the same general damaging mistakes
to bollocks up
vsto mishandle
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To do something so badly that it fails

covers broader poor dealing that can include small or big damage
to bodge
vsto mishandle
  • UK
9.9

Do a job badly so it does not work

is more general, applying to poor care that harms or damages
to bollix
vsto mishandle
  • Slang
9.9

To ruin something by doing it badly

is the standard word for poor management that causes harm
to bollocks
vsto mishandle
  • Offensive
9.9

To spoil or ruin something by making a careless mistake

is the neutral expression used to describe similar damaging actions
to misregulate
vsto mishandle
8.1

To control something in the wrong way so it does not work properly

is more general, meaning poor dealing that causes problems beyond rules

Antonyms

2.1

Deal with a task, person, or situation

643 2.7

To be in charge of a group or a business

How Competent

to master
191 4.1
to manage
3.2
to handle
2.1
to mishandle
20 4.9
to bungle
16 6.8

Surface Forms

mishandle infinitive
mishandled past
mishandled past participle
mishandling present participle
mishandles third person singular

Morphology

mishandle = handle (transparent) = mis + handle

The prefix 'mis-' meaning 'badly' or 'wrongly' is productively attached to the verb 'handle', yielding the straightforward meaning 'to manage badly'.

Etymology

The word mishandle comes from the parts mis- meaning 'wrong' and handle meaning 'to touch or manage'. So to mishandle something is to 'manage or hold it badly', which is why it often causes problems or damage.