mishandle

present singular third person mishandles · participle present mishandling · participle past mishandled · past mishandled

1. transitiveTo manipulate something roughly, causing physical damage.

   If you mishandle a fragile package, the contents may break.

   1 more example

   The obvious advantages of this method of new motor vehicle delivery over long distances,, which the L.M.R. says dealers and ultimate customers are beginning to appreciate, are all-weather reliability, arrival in mint condition and with only a very small mileage "on the clock", and the assurance that the car has not been mishandled during its running-in period; […].

   1962 October 28, “Talking of Trains: L.M.R. car-carrying success”, in Modern Railways, page 224

   Synonyms: misuse, abuse, handle roughly, handle incorrectly, maul

2. transitiveTo deal with a situation incorrectly or ineffectively; to make a mistake in handling a situation.

   The prime minister was accused of mishandling the diplomatic crisis.

   3 more examples

   Naturally, the wisdom of striking to remedy grievances was questioned; but there were few dissentients from the view that the Government and B.T.C. are mishandling the human relations involved.

   1962 November 28, “Talking of Trains: The one-day strike”, in Modern Railways, page 291

   On a summer visit back to the farm here where I grew up, I think I figured out the central problem with modern industrial agriculture. It’s not just that it produces unhealthy food, mishandles waste and overuses antibiotics in ways that harm us all.

   2009 August 22, Nicholas Kristof, “Food for the Soul”, in The New York Times

   Mr. Trump faces 31 counts of violating the Espionage Act, which makes it a crime to mishandle national security secrets.

   2023 July 18, Charlie Savage, “Trump Documents Hearing Could Set Off Lengthy Fight Over Classified Evidence”, in The New York Times

   Synonyms: mismanage

plural mishandles

1. countableuncountableRough manipulation which causes physical damage.
2. countableuncountableIneffective or incorrect deal.
3. countableuncountableImproper, wrong, or bad usage or treatment; abuse.