1
as in to manage
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently
as host of a live TV talk show, she must handle any situation that comes up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
4
as in to supervise
to look after and make decisions about
she takes care of the flower beds, and he handles all the lawn care
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in to tolerate
to put up with (something painful or difficult)
I can't handle much more of this foul weather
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to oversee
to be in charge of
I'll be handling the team's workouts while the leader is on vacation
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
2
as in name
a word or combination of words by which a person or thing is regularly known
likes to go by the handle "Champ"
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in nickname
a descriptive or familiar name given instead of or in addition to the one belonging to an individual
since it seemed decreed that every new firefighter have a handle, his was soon "Hulk"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of handle
Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 May 2026
The aim is to produce crews capable of handling complex multi-domain battlespaces rather than isolated dogfights.
—David Szondy
may 24, New Atlas, 24 May 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 May 2026
The clergy specifically placed the handles of the tall ark at the bottom, so that even preschoolers would be able to open it.
—Rachel Kraus, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for handle
Verb
Its gigantic coal infrastructure, coal-to-chemical plants, and processing facilities could readily be adapted to handle the load.
—Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 May 2026
The aim is to produce crews capable of handling complex multi-domain battlespaces rather than isolated dogfights.
—David Szondy
may 24, New Atlas, 24 May 2026
Noun
All rooms feature wheelchair-accessible doors, lowered peepholes, light switches, and closet door handles; a roll-in shower or tub with grab bars; and teletypewriters and telecommunications devices available upon request.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 May 2026
The clergy specifically placed the handles of the tall ark at the bottom, so that even preschoolers would be able to open it.
—Rachel Kraus, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for handle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handle
Verb
-
The hive’s sturdy, portable design allowed nineteenth-century beekeepers to manage and transport colonies over long distances.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 May 2026
-
How has your background prepared you to manage the fiscal health of the county’s school districts?—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Manage insect vectors by reducing weeds in and around the garden and treating pests when outbreaks occur.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
-
In many places, telehealth doctors and nurses are legally allowed to treat patients across state lines.—
Maia Rosenfeld,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Other violations throughout the years included creating another public nuisance in 2006 that generated more than 10 complaints and operating equipment contrary to its permit.—
Jason Henry,
Oc Register,
30 May 2026
-
Each one would need to stock more interceptors and operate with escort ships to fend off attacks.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
The defendant, 36, who has not been publicly identified, is accused of assaulting children while supervising them in bathrooms, during lunch breaks and in after-school care between August 2024 and April 2025.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 May 2026
-
Leadership therefore shifts from supervising human effort to governing system behavior, including how decisions are made and how outcomes are evaluated.—
Michael Edmondson,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
The work of observing, tolerating and, at times, surrendering control to see what exists beneath it.—
Sonia Singh,
Rolling Stone,
26 May 2026
-
In the shadow of the war to end all wars, people desperately hoped that the human race would never again tolerate such fevered violence, and Esperanto grew hand in hand with the pacifist movement.—
Katie Thornton,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Asked about a half-baked, eleventh-hour Johnson administration idea for the city to take over the state agency that has overseen stadium financing in Illinois, Pritzker said no one from the mayor’s office had even contacted him about it.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
The most significant transformation came in 2021, when Spanish design firm Lázaro Rosa‑Violán oversaw a renovation that preserved the landmark’s architectural soul and gave it a cleaner, more contemporary edge, with warmer lighting and a refined arrival experience.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
The robot is rewarded for completing tasks such as maintaining grip and balance while external disturbances are introduced.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
27 May 2026
-
Desperate measures In recent years, China has tightened its grip on protests and political dissent, aided by sophisticated censorship and surveillance through facial recognition and other artificial intelligence tools.—
Yoonjung Seo,
CNN Money,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
As the name suggests, the brand’s Rosemary Mint Scalp and Hair Strengthening Oil contains rosemary oil, which experts say boasts several benefits.—
Isabel Bekele,
InStyle,
26 May 2026
-
The investment bank has a buy rating on the memory name.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handle. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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