Mishandle

/ˌmɪsˈhændl/
verb

To deal with something in a wrong or bad way.

The company mishandled the situation and lost its reputation.
Visual representation of "mishandle" - To deal with something in a wrong or bad way

Often appears as...

  • mishandle a situation
  • mishandle a problem

Usage tips

Disapproving

verb

To touch or treat something in a way that causes damage.

They mishandled the fragile artifact and it broke into pieces.
Visual representation of "mishandle" - To touch or treat something in a way that causes damage

Often appears as...

  • mishandle an artifact
  • mishandle luggage

Usage tips

Disapproving

verb

To deal with something in a wrong or bad way.

The company mishandled the situation and lost its reputation.
Visual representation of "mishandle" - To deal with something in a wrong or bad way

Often appears as...

  • mishandle a situation
  • mishandle a problem

Usage tips

Disapproving

verb

To touch or treat something in a way that causes damage.

They mishandled the fragile artifact and it broke into pieces.
Visual representation of "mishandle" - To touch or treat something in a way that causes damage

Often appears as...

  • mishandle an artifact
  • mishandle luggage

Usage tips

Disapproving

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "mishandle"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Context Matters

The severity of 'mishandle' depends on the situation's context; can imply negligence or simple mistakes.

Illustration for Context Matters
The employee mishandled the customer's complaint, escalating the issue.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Negative Outcome

Using 'mishandle' suggests a negative outcome resulted from the action.

Illustration for Negative Outcome
Due to mishandling funds, the charity faced financial trouble.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Responsibility Implied

'Mishandle' often implies that someone was responsible for the wrong handling.

Illustration for Responsibility Implied
The government mishandled the environmental crisis.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Context Matters

The severity of 'mishandle' depends on the situation's context; can imply negligence or simple mistakes.

Illustration for Context Matters
The employee mishandled the customer's complaint, escalating the issue.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Negative Outcome

Using 'mishandle' suggests a negative outcome resulted from the action.

Illustration for Negative Outcome
Due to mishandling funds, the charity faced financial trouble.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Responsibility Implied

'Mishandle' often implies that someone was responsible for the wrong handling.

Illustration for Responsibility Implied
The government mishandled the environmental crisis.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Context Matters

The severity of 'mishandle' depends on the situation's context; can imply negligence or simple mistakes.

Illustration for Context Matters
The employee mishandled the customer's complaint, escalating the issue.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Negative Outcome

Using 'mishandle' suggests a negative outcome resulted from the action.

Illustration for Negative Outcome
Due to mishandling funds, the charity faced financial trouble.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Responsibility Implied

'Mishandle' often implies that someone was responsible for the wrong handling.

Illustration for Responsibility Implied
The government mishandled the environmental crisis.
Visual representation of the word "Mishandle"

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