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
Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
At 20 airports in the US, security screening is handled not by TSA but by private companies, and their checkpoints are not seeing long lines.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 22 Mar. 2026
Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
Each bag has lavender handles and a delicate pink logo.
—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handle
Verb
Mueller became a federal prosecutor and relished the work of handling criminal cases.
—Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
At 20 airports in the US, security screening is handled not by TSA but by private companies, and their checkpoints are not seeing long lines.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 22 Mar. 2026
Noun
His lawsuit claimed Tesla knew selling its vehicles without door handles on the outside posed a deadly entrapment threat.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
Each bag has lavender handles and a delicate pink logo.
—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handle
Verb
-
The moves follow South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's instruction on Tuesday to activate a preemptive emergency response system, as Seoul stepped up efforts to manage the economic fallout from the conflict.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
-
This project offers an alternative to a byproduct that distilleries currently find difficult and expensive to manage.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Officials said one resident was taken to the hospital with minor burns, several others were treated on the scene and released, and the two White Settlement police officers were taken to the hospital to be evaluated for possible smoke inhalation.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Several other residents were treated at the scene and released.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The backstory The resort opened as The Nam Hai in 2006 and operated as such for about a decade before it was acquired by Four Seasons.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Additionally, exercise caution if operating any equipment that could create sparks, and keep vehicles off of dry grass.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The additional $10 million the department is requesting would pay for two supervising attorneys, 25 attorneys, 3 senior legal analysts and one associate governmental program analyst, the request says.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The lawsuit also claims that the city failed to properly hire, supervise, train and retain VonBank.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
If your space is shadier, stick with crops like lettuce or spinach that can tolerate less light.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Dissent isn’t tolerated and consensus isn’t a priority.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The new bureau, which will handle only disaster and emergency aid, is part of a larger office that oversees all foreign assistance.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Another major change concerns the High Judicial Council, which oversees magistrates’ appointments and disciplinary matters.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Interestingly, the wristband could accurately predict a wide array of hand positions, from 26 letters of complex American Sign Language signs to the subtle grips required for holding scissors, a tennis ball, or a pencil.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Yet the air campaign, costing billions of dollars, has not forced Iran to capitulate and loosen its grip on the strait.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The question box includes a space for your name, but this is optional.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
-
To search the restaurant inspections, type in a keyword or restaurant name.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handle. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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