Manhandle — Definition & Meaning

What does manhandle mean?

Manhandle is a verb meaning to handle someone or something roughly, forcefully, or without sufficient care. It often suggests physical handling that is unnecessarily violent, such as someone being manhandled by guards or a crowd, but it can also describe badly managed equipment, finances, or other resources. The word is more emphatic than mishandle because it implies excessive force or a lack of proper care, not merely an unsuccessful or mistaken attempt. Manhandle is generally informal and often sounds disapproving, making it particularly useful in reporting, criticism, and descriptions of disorderly or negligent treatment. Although it may describe physical mistreatment, it can also be used metaphorically for incompetent handling.

verb

To handle someone or something roughly, forcefully, or without proper care. It can also mean to treat something badly or manage it ineffectively.

Senses

To handle someone or something roughly, forcefully, or without proper care.
To treat or manage something badly, ineffectively, or in a way that causes damage.

Example

"The equipment was manhandled during the move and had to be repaired."

More examples

"The guards manhandled the suspect while moving him to the station."

"The company continued to manhandle its finances until a new director took over."

Did you know?

From a literal image of forcefully gripping with the hands, manhandle came to describe both rough treatment and careless management.

Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.

Where does manhandle come from?

Manhandle is a 19th-century compound of man and handle. The original sense referred to handling a person roughly, often by the hands; it later broadened to include treating or managing things badly. Its components belong to a wider English family based on the Germanic root for “hand,” represented in words such as handle, handful, handy, and handicap.

handle handful handy handicap