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
Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Other facilities that handle air traffic around airports in Newark, New Jersey; Jacksonville, Florida; Chicago, Washington, DC, and Indianapolis also were short staffed.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025
There is Gamblers Anonymous for those seeking to get a handle on their addiction.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handle
Verb
Democrats say health care protections must be preserved, while Republicans say funding and policy should be handled separately.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Other facilities that handle air traffic around airports in Newark, New Jersey; Jacksonville, Florida; Chicago, Washington, DC, and Indianapolis also were short staffed.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
Simply pump the handle to cut food into fine, chunky, or coarse bits as needed.
—Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025
There is Gamblers Anonymous for those seeking to get a handle on their addiction.
—Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handle
Verb
-
Mannika trained as a sociologist at Columbia University and now manages product for tech companies.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
10 Oct. 2025
-
However, alternatives require significant knowledge and expertise to manage effectively.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Fall is not treating the Ichabods so well.—
The Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Most hemorrhoids can be treated with over-the-counter topical medications, such as hydrocortisone or witch hazel, but Rao recommends consulting a doctor if the hemorrhoids become recurrent, painful or bleed excessively.—
Adrianna Rodriguez,
USA Today,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The program, which offers $1,500 mid-pregnancy cash assistance and then $500 a month up to a year of the baby's life, already operates in 11 communities around Michigan.—
Nushrat Rahman,
Freep.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Why was TikTok’s operating license suspended?—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Sebastio supervises retail, finance and an in-house team of three designers for product consistency, as the brand was first inspired by his own and his father’s wardrobe.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Exantus was previously permitted to be supervised in Florida upon his release from prison in accordance with an interstate compact, Hall said.—
Leo Bertucci,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Whether the rules change or not, what really matters is what investors demand — and what markets are willing to tolerate.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Cold-hardy varieties may tolerate cold, but that doesn’t mean planting them just ahead of cold weather is ideal.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Elise Christopher oversaw the high school longitudinal studies at the National Center for Education Statistics, part of the Institute of Education Sciences, until she was laid off in March along with dozens of her colleagues.—
Carmela Guaglianone,
NPR,
7 Oct. 2025
-
For a discovery to count, the AI has to oversee the entire project, from hypothesis generation to experiment design to data analysis.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But Duane’s grip on the rifle was so tight that the muzzle stayed jammed under the bear’s chin.—
Marguerite Reiss,
Outdoor Life,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Touch in Sol’s fan-favorite primer smooths skin with a lightweight, velvety finish that blurs the appearance of pores and grips onto makeup in place all day.—
Sarah Han,
Allure,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Williams — joined by family members, current and past KU coaches, players and support staff — on Tuesday afternoon cut the ribbon on the room that bears his name.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
8 Oct. 2025
-
As their name suggests, these earbuds are best suited for use with Google’s Pixel phones, and support for iOS is limited.—
Jade Chung-Lee,
PC Magazine,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Handle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handle. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share