manhandling

verb

present participle of manhandle
1
as in abusing
to abuse physically charges that the police manhandled peaceful protesters

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bullying
to inflict physical or emotional harm upon if you see anyone manhandling a child, you should call the authorities

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of manhandling 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 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 Lee had been caught on video back in 2017 shouting at a woman who was reportedly his girlfriend, manhandling her and calling her names, in a confrontation allegedly broken up by a teammate. — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2026 Social media served up a daily video deluge of heavily armed agents randomly manhandling dark-skinned people. — Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026 That’s exactly how the Miami Dolphins performed in Sunday’s 30-13 win against the Buffalo Bills in a contest Miami controlled all game, manhandling the reigning AFC East division champions to prove that the 2025 season isn’t over. — Miami Herald, 9 Nov. 2025 But even with Mizzou being able to do what it’s been doing — manhandling the trenches and milking the clock — the results were somewhat spoiled. — Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 21 Sep. 2025 San Francisco tackle Williams is 6-foot-5 and 320, and has been manhandling NFL linemen since Hufanga was a boy running around his parents’ farm in Oregon. — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for manhandling
  1. abusing
  2. bullying
  3. attacking
  4. torturing
  5. mauling
  6. mishandling
  7. ambushing
  8. beating
Verb
  • Communities from Lansing, Michigan, to Pflugerville, Texas, are ending their relationship with Flock, largely over concerns regarding out-of-control surveillance, unwanted data sharing, high expenses, and reports of police abusing the tool.
    — Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Countless cops, meanwhile, are abusing the cameras to stalk women.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of abusing
Verb
  • Trump has been bullying Canada since the start of his second term.
    — Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The source said the TCU staff was aware of mounting tensions, but viewed it as just a part of competitive football in fall camp, not bullying.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of bullying
Verb
  • Generally, these hunters do not start attacking cells unless there is a reason to do so, such as inflammation, a key marker of infection.
    — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • For example, Way of the Sword rewards defensive play in the form of Issen, powerful counterattacks that are triggered by attacking before an enemy strikes.
    — Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of attacking
Verb
  • The shape-shifting eldritch entity of mysterious origins relishes torturing children.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But, if not, then stop using the existence of those goals as a way of torturing yourself.
    — Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of torturing
Verb
  • While the left guard competition remains open, Jones has been on the first string for over a week since replacing Connor Colby, and Jones stood out with an aggressive, mauling nature against the Titans.
    — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Gunther slowed the match down, mauling Aldis and sending him flying into the corner.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of mauling
Verb
  • Smith’s late mother, Melody Johnson, was cremated at the Bohemian National Cemetery and Crematorium, which is also under investigation for mishandling remains in a case related to the problems at South Chicago Chapel.
    — Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
  • After almost mishandling the handoff to Breece Hall on his second snap, Klubnik looked poised and comfortable.
    — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of mishandling
Verb
  • After ambushing Nobel hopeful Kersten onboard, Wohmann makes multiple attempts to interview him.
    — Alissa Simon, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Prosecutors, meanwhile, have alleged that Mangione meticulously planned the killing for months, documenting his thoughts in journals and traveling across the country before ambushing Thompson in New York City.
    — Stepheny Price , Michael Ruiz , Maria Paronich, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2026
Definition of ambushing
Verb
  • Mizzou fans fumed about beating KU but playing in the lesser bowl.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Clark won a solid 56% of the vote in the Democratic primary, beating Blair and others, and Chavez ran unopposed in the Republican primary.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of beating

Browse Nearby Words

manhandles
manhandling
manhood
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Cite this Entry

“Manhandling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manhandling. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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