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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of handle
Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Read more on Haverstock’s tips on how to handle Glacier-country waters.
—Outside, 4 Nov. 2025
Zev Fima, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
In a video posted to TikTok under the handle vanessa_p_44, Vanessa Pifer from York captured the moment her husband, Kyle Pifer, learned the truth.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handle
Verb
The medication contains a small amount of radioactive material, which means it must be handled carefully to minimize radiation exposure.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Read more on Haverstock’s tips on how to handle Glacier-country waters.
—Outside, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
But management has a good handle on things, with optionality and the ability to adapt depending on how things play out.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
In a video posted to TikTok under the handle vanessa_p_44, Vanessa Pifer from York captured the moment her husband, Kyle Pifer, learned the truth.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handle
Verb
-
In part, the McKinley administration standardized various press protocols and routines involved in managing the press corps—holding somewhat regular briefings, for example, and carefully timing White House announcements.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Because of delays, Peter, having committed to spending a year in Israel, turned to me to manage all aspects of this sprawling project.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Mock was treated at a hospital for injuries before being booked into the Sedgwick County Jail.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Cancer immunotherapy is used to treat many common cancers, including breast, colon and bladder, and doctors want to know if the COVID shot might also help extend survival for those patients.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Wirtz would be the most likely candidate to partner Szoboszlai in the No 10 positions, with Ekitike or Gakpo operating from the left.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
But their fragile coexistence collapsed once the Red Command, blocked from Bolivia, turned to Peru and built a cocaine trade that operates almost entirely within Brazil.—
Alessandra Freitas,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The boards for the district develop and approve policies for the schools; hire, supervise and evaluate the superintendent; and approve budgets set by the superintendent.—
The Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Laurie Orlando, who has supervised talent recruitment and strategy at CBS News for nearly a decade, is leaving the Paramount Skydance operation — the latest of the news division’s senior executives to exit as the parent company overhauls its operations under an iconoclastic new editor in chief.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In contrast, Roosevelt set out to create a press-savvy White House that didn’t just tolerate reporters but welcomed them.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Temperature and Humidity 'Lemon-Lime' Nandina tolerates the heat and humidity of Southern landscapes.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
That division helps people file for public assistance programs such as SNAP and oversees all 80 state Human Services Department offices.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Maps are typically redrawn only once a decade after the census, and in California—as in several other Democratic strongholds—an independent commission oversees the process.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The stretchy cuffs help lock in heat, while the palm side has grip-enhancing rubber details.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
-
For years, 58-year-old Abel Linares watched his health slip away as kidney disease tightened its grip.—
Ronnie Li,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Here she is being woke in the name of destroying her enemies, most of whom the show has given us very little reason to root for.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
-
What if that once-in-a-lifetime work of investigative journalism, the one sure to bring glory upon the writer’s name, will also have dire consequences for someone who could otherwise do a lot of good?—
Judy Berman,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Handle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handle. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share