mishandle

verb

1. (transitive)To manipulate something roughly, causing physical damage.

   “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; […].”

2. (transitive)To deal with a situation incorrectly or ineffectively; to make a mistake in handling a situation.

   “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.”

   “Mr. Trump faces 31 counts of violating the Espionage Act, which makes it a crime to mishandle national security secrets.”

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)Rough manipulation which causes physical damage.
2. (countable, uncountable)Ineffective or incorrect deal.
3. (countable, uncountable)Improper, wrong, or bad usage or treatment; abuse.