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
Tim Lister, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
Drones take on expanding roles across modern battlefields Uncrewed systems are playing a growing role in modern warfare, handling missions from reconnaissance and artillery spotting to precision strikes.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 29 Mar. 2026
New Atlas, 26 Mar. 2026
Based on the handle, the blade appeared to be 5 inches long, police said.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handle
Verb
The port of Jeddah is also handling far greater volumes of container traffic.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026
Drones take on expanding roles across modern battlefields Uncrewed systems are playing a growing role in modern warfare, handling missions from reconnaissance and artillery spotting to precision strikes.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
The slim knife carries an even slimmer ballpoint pen cartridge that hides away near the rounded tip of the handle.
—New Atlas, 26 Mar. 2026
Based on the handle, the blade appeared to be 5 inches long, police said.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handle
Verb
-
And across these two games, England managed just one goal, when Ben White tapped in on Friday.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Officials state the move will place leadership closer to the Western lands the agency manages and improve its mission.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The script, by Ed Solomon, treats the Sklar siblings as cardboard grotesques—heartless, talentless, united in their loathing of a father who loathes them right back.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Later Wednesday, the SLS upper stage sent Integrity into a high Earth orbit ranging as far as 46,000 miles away, treating the crew to the sight of a lunar eclipse along the way.—
Rob Pegoraro,
PC Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
More importantly, Slaughter expanded her game, operating more in the post, rebounding at a higher level and continuing to handle the ball effectively.—
Aaron Segal,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
-
In a statement Friday, before the AALA results were released, a district spokesperson said school operations would depend on which employees participate in a strike, ranging from campuses remaining open to operating with limited services or potentially closing.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The drones then fly themselves to the location of a call, and are supervised by a drone operator.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
While the mayor campaigned on educating kids as young as 6 weeks, his plans so far have started with 2-year-old children, who are typically less complicated — and costly — to supervise than infants.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Fungi thrive in harsh environments, tolerate extremes that would destroy most organisms, and can continually grow and repair themselves over time.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
-
However, some cats—especially those with thick, insulating fur like Maine Coons or Norwegian Forest cats—can tolerate and even enjoy playing in snow.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In February, the judge overseeing the case dismissed several claims against the bank, but let stand two others.—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
-
One called Rabin’s government a Judenrat, the Nazi term for Jewish councils appointed to oversee ghettos.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Iran has also moved to tighten its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy chokepoint, raising fears of prolonged disruptions to oil and gas shipments.—
Sam Stevenson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Some fans are crying their eyes violet over their disappointment, while others are begging critics to get a grip.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The red mesh sack, of the kind typically used to store oranges or onions, is stamped with her name, immigration number and date of deportation.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The neighborhood/area Buahan sits on the fringe of a small village with the same name.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handle. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
