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
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Recent Examples of handle
Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 1 Mar. 2026
Use gloves and/or protective gear when handling the plant.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026
Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2026
Poking at the dirt outside of the home with a sharp metal rod soldered to a handle, Tello wiggled the rod around, pulled it out, and smelled it.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handle
Verb
Hundreds of jets operated by Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways are grounded, and hundreds of thousands of travelers are stranded across hubs that typically handle some of the most international traffic in the world.
—Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 1 Mar. 2026
Use gloves and/or protective gear when handling the plant.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026
Noun
Do not forget the freezer handles and drawer pulls.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2026
Poking at the dirt outside of the home with a sharp metal rod soldered to a handle, Tello wiggled the rod around, pulled it out, and smelled it.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handle
Verb
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The war with Iran continues to cause aviation chaos in the Middle East and beyond as some of the world’s busiest airports attempt to manage the fallout of airspace closures, with only a limited number of flights now departing the region.—
Marnie Hunter,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
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Those figures include contracts that LAHSA manages for the county and the city, and LAHSA said the city was late in transferring it money, contributing to the delays.—
Andrew Khouri,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Respect yourself by choosing quality items over the cheapest possible options, then treat those purchases with care.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Hong Kong and Beijing, however, say Lai received a fair trial and all are treated equally under the national security law that has restored order to the city since mass pro-democracy protests in 2019.—
Reuters 8 hr ago,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The fact that both are used to operating in congested areas to progress the ball gives them an edge over more traditional touchline wingers such as Garnacho and Gittens.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Though the groups operate with some autonomy, Iran has provided them with financial support, weaponry such as drones, missiles, and training and intelligence.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For families, spatulas show up at nearly every meal — Saturday morning pancakes, after-school quesadillas, and yes, scraping every last bit of cake batter from the bowl (an activity most kids will happily supervise).—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
3 Mar. 2026
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However, a hospital staff member reported that, in February, 2025, Adams asked the staff member to falsify about 25 documents claiming to have supervised medical procedures dating back months.—
Beth Warren,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
However, most figs won't tolerate cold as well as other trees; people in chillier climates should do well with the Chicago Hardy variety.—
Emily Hayes,
Martha Stewart,
3 Mar. 2026
-
This shrub tolerates clay-like soils, wet sites, urban locations, and often accompanying air pollution.—
Jamie McIntosh,
The Spruce,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Big questions answered Among those questions was who would ultimately oversee Berkshire's stock portfolio, an issue Abel addressed directly by stating that responsibility resides with him as CEO.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Their parents established a studio in their hometown that was overseen by their mother after their father’s early demise.—
Bryan Barcena,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Four-time Supermoto world champion Adrien Chareyre rode the M2 and had positive feedback on the M2's rideability and grip.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
4 Mar. 2026
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The regime survives by exporting crisis because stability and prosperity threaten its grip on power.—
Jason D. Greenblatt,
semafor.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 When goals call your name, patience becomes your ally.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Mar. 2026
-
In Culiacan, in neighboring Sinaloa state, home to a cartel of the same name, there is a cemetery known for its luxury crypts and mausoleums for one-time kingpins like Ignacio Coronel — an old associate of El Mencho — and Arturo Beltrán Leyva.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handle. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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