mishandle

1. (transitive) To manipulate something roughly, causing physical damage.Examples: "If you mishandle a fragile package, the contents may break."; "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; […]."Synonyms: misuse, abuse, handle roughly, handle incorrectly, maultransitive

2. (transitive) To deal with a situation incorrectly or ineffectively; to make a mistake in handling a situation.Examples: "The prime minister was accused of mishandling the diplomatic crisis."; "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."; "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."Synonyms: mismanagetransitive