handle 1 of 2

1
2
as in to treat
to behave toward in a stated way handles all requests professionally, even when customers are rude

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in to operate
to control the mechanical operation of learned how to handle basic woodworking power tools

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
5
6

handle

2 of 2

noun

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of handle
Verb
The writers delivered a masterclass in how to handle the unforeseen death of a central character, then did a superb job navigating not only Dan’s heartbreak, but his conflicted feelings about moving on with Louise. Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 24 Apr. 2025 If the highest and broadest tariffs are avoided, U.S. farmers will likely be able to handle the impacts with only modest discomfort. Adam A. Millsap, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
His knife had holes in the handle for the wielder’s fingers, providing a firmer grip, according to police. John Annese, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025 This crossbody style has an adjustable strap as well as a top handle, so it can be used to tour around a city while also dressed up for dinner. Ito Bindery, Air Mail, 19 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for handle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handle
Verb
  • The two brands managed just 917,598 sales in 2024, versus 1,343,959 in 2019, according to S&P Global Mobility.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • In the one and only trial run, conducted in 1987, emergency squads managed to erect only a fraction of the necessary infrastructure.
    Jessi Jezewska Stevens, The Dial, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • To avoid these pitfalls, companies need to treat office redesign as a change management project—not just a facilities project.
    Ryan Anderson, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • If adding square footage was at the tippy-top of the designer’s remodel punch list, treating it to a character boost was a close second.
    Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The district would have the authority to plan, purchase, build and operate the facilities to provide water for domestic, municipal and commercial use.
    Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2025
  • That means a Canadian vessel, even on Lake Michigan—where there's no Canadian border—could be operated by foreign nationals with minimal oversight.
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But, because the government would need time to craft new rules and infrastructure, the court would temporarily supervise the detention of minors.
    Jack Herrera, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Holmes argues the church failed to supervise Lorch and, worse yet, retained him, thus enabling Lorch to allegedly inflict even more harms.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Despite their native habitat in moist woods and along stream banks, plants tolerate dry soil and drought.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Read the full Libra Daily Horoscope Scorpio (October 23 - November 21) Sick and tired of tolerating it?
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The judge overseeing the trial found last year that Google has a monopoly in online search and related advertising.
    Jody Godoy, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Pietro Parolin The current secretary of state for the Holy See, Parolin is an experienced Italian diplomat who has helped oversee the Vatican's internal affairs but also worked on behalf of the Catholic Church around the world in countries from Venezuela to Vietnam.
    Willem Marx, NPR, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The now ruling Cambodian People’s Party, in power for over four decades, has justified its grip on the country through the trauma of the genocide.
    Sophal Ear, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Systems built on power, fear, and control are reacting because their grip is beginning to loosen.
    Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The names: Off-Roadeo Arches and Off-Roadeo Cliffhanger are meant to celebrate the Moab area and Bronco Off-Roadeo Moab.
    Jamie L. LaReau, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Brazil local time on July 17, 2007, the TAM Airbus A320—now operating under the name LATAM—was arriving from Salgado Filho Airport in Porto Alegre and attempted to land at Congonhas Airport in São Paulo.
    Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 23 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Handle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handle. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on handle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!