What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mauled
Example
The hiker was mauled by a grizzly bear in the woods. [mauled: past tense]
Example
The victim was mauled so badly that he had to be hospitalized. [mauled: past participle]
manhandle
Example
The movers manhandled the fragile vase and it broke into pieces. [manhandled: past tense]
Example
The suspect resisted arrest and had to be manhandled into the police car. [manhandled: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Manhandle is more commonly used than mauled in everyday language. Manhandle is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while mauled is less common and refers to a specific type of attack.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mauled and manhandle?
Both mauled and manhandle are informal and casual words that are not typically used in formal contexts.