Synonyms of handle

handle 1 of 2

verb

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

• manage
• manipulate
• address
• treat
• negotiate
• take
• play
• maneuver
• cope (with)
• field
• swing
• hack
• contend (with)
• grapple (with)
• come to grips with
• pull
• control
• regulate
• have a grip on
• carry out
• steer
• engineer
• get off
• carry off
• guide
• direct
• respond (to)
• finesse
• react (to)
• command
• jockey
• bring off
• run
• micromanage

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fumble
• mishandle
• botch
• bungle
• muff
• goof (up)
• mess (up)
• louse up
• scamp
• foozle

2

as in to treat

to behave toward in a stated way

handles all requests professionally, even when customers are rude

Synonyms & Similar Words

• treat
• serve
• use
• be (to)
• deal (with)
• act (toward)
• regard
• respond (to)
• view
• react (to)
• consider
• engage (with)
• do by
• rate
• reckon
• esteem

3

as in to operate

to control the mechanical operation of

learned how to handle basic woodworking power tools

Synonyms & Similar Words

• operate
• use
• work
• manipulate
• run
• drive
• wield
• control
• steer
• maneuver
• guide
• direct
• ply
• pilot
• command

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

• manage
• operate
• supervise
• oversee
• control
• regulate
• conduct
• run
• govern
• keep
• administer
• direct
• tend
• guide
• protect
• carry on
• administrate
• overlook
• preside (over)
• watch over
• steer
• superintend
• steward
• lead
• watch
• safeguard
• guard
• care (for)
• pilot
• mind
• micromanage
• stage-manage
• codirect
• comanage

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

• tolerate
• accept
• endure
• stand
• take
• sustain
• bear
• absorb
• stomach
• swallow
• meet
• support
• wear
• abide
• stick out
• stand for
• live with
• hack
• lump (it)
• countenance
• go
• sweat out
• bide
• allow
• suffer
• pocket
• permit
• brook
• tough it out
• reconcile (to)
• submit (to)
• yield (to)
• acquiesce
• agree (with or to)
• consent (to)
• respect
• assent (to)
• capitulate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refuse
• dismiss
• reject
• resist
• avoid
• fight
• decline
• combat
• oppose
• repudiate
• escape
• evade
• turn down
• contest
• miss
• circumvent
• bypass
• spurn
• refrain (from)
• dodge
• elude
• abstain (from)
• forbear

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

• supervise
• oversee
• manage
• steer
• command
• control
• direct
• head
• run
• watch over
• boss
• overlook
• guide
• superintend
• order
• monitor
• administer
• show
• ride herd on
• call the tune (for)
• captain
• call the shots (of)
• quarterback
• govern
• rule
• shepherd
• preside (over)
• reign

handle

2 of 2

noun

ˈhan-dᵊl 

1

as in grip

a part by which an implement is held

was given a set a steak knives with wooden handles

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grip
• hilt
• bow
• loop
• shaft
• helve
• handgrip
• haft
• bar
• bail
• crop
• handlebar
• broomstick
• whipstock

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

• name
• moniker
• title
• nomenclature
• nickname
• designation
• denomination
• banner
• surname
• pseudonym
• epithet
• appellation
• denotation
• first name
• given name
• family name
• maiden name
• Christian name
• compellation
• tag
• label
• cognomen
• pen name
• appellative
• middle name
• baptismal name
• nom de plume
• diminutive
• alias
• trade name
• brand name
• forename
• sobriquet
• trivial name
• nom de guerre
• binomial
• patronymic
• trademark
• misnomer
• monomial
• vernacular
• matronymic
• hypocorism
• rubric
• cryptonym
• byname

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

• nickname
• surname
• epithet
• moniker
• pseudonym
• alias
• tag
• label
• sobriquet
• denomination
• pen name
• title
• cognomen
• byname
• designation
• appellation
• nom de plume
• denotation
• nom de guerre
• anonym

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of handle

Verb

Originally, governments handled national energy security through diplomatic efforts and emergency planning. —Victor Nian, Fortune, 10 May 2026

Females will sting if handled or alarmed though, so avoid doing that. —Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026

Noun

The Spring Diamond From Arcturus, look north toward the end of the Big Dipper's handle. —Jamie Carter, Space.com, 8 May 2026

Brown declared, pulling a handle that started drilling the first hole of soil tests for a subway that planners estimated could be built in just three years. —National Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026

Phrases Containing handle

• fly off the handle