mishandle
12 synonyms for mishandle, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To handle an object carelessly so that it gets damaged.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
Came into English from Middle English mishandlen, formed from mis- and handle. It is cognate with Saterland Frisian mishondelje, West Frisian mishandelje, Dutch mishandelen ("to mistreat") and German misshandeln ("to mistreat").
Full origin of mishandle →