German word

misshandeln

Pronunciation

IPA/ˌmɪsˈhandl̩n/

Meaning

  • verbabuse

Example

Der Vater misshandelt das Kind seit Jahren.

The father has been abusing the child for years.

Illustration for misshandeln (abuse)

More examples

Die Stiftung unterstützt Opfer, die misshandelt wurden.

The foundation supports victims who were abused.

Core concept

One person repeatedly uses brutal force or power against another, causing bodily or emotional harm.

Common phrases

  • ein Tier misshandeln

    abuse an animal

  • körperlich misshandeln

    physically abuse

  • psychisch misshandeln

    psychologically abuse

Similar words

missbrauchen: Exploiting trust or authority to take advantage of or harm another person.
demütigen: Causing someone to feel ashamed by attacking their dignity or self-respect.
beleidigen: Hurting someone through insulting words or disrespectful behavior.
quälen: Deliberately causing severe, often prolonged suffering or distress.

Definition in German

jemanden wiederholt grob behandeln und ihm körperlichen oder seelischen Schaden zufügen

Word origin

The prefix miss- expresses wrongness, while handeln is historically related to Hand; together misshandeln means to treat someone wrongly or harshly.

Usage tips

  • Misshandeln is a serious word for abuse, so milder complaints usually require a less severe expression such as schlecht behandeln.

Other meanings

  • handle roughlyverb
  • treat badlyverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word