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
Jon Becker, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
Stranger Films Sales is handling sales.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 15 Mar. 2026
Erika Edwards, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026
The handle means it can be hooked onto bags, too.
—Alexandra Pereira, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handle
Verb
Former Bay Area News Group sports editor Bud Geracie recalled May 9, 2010, when Steward was assigned to handle the A’s game solo.
—Jon Becker, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
Stranger Films Sales is handling sales.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 15 Mar. 2026
Noun
As South Carolina seems to be getting a handle on its outbreak — the largest in the United States in three decades — measles in Utah is raging through unvaccinated children in several communities.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026
The handle means it can be hooked onto bags, too.
—Alexandra Pereira, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handle
Verb
-
Yet Iran has still managed to halt the flow of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for about a fifth of the world’s oil.—
Bill McKibben,
New Yorker,
18 Mar. 2026
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But for those who qualify, the long-term tax-free growth and withdrawal flexibility typically outweigh the absence of an immediate deduction — especially for someone already managing a complex retirement income picture.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The doctor explained how Moïse had to be listed under several aliases while being treated.—
Tania Francois,
CBS News,
13 Mar. 2026
-
It is officially recognized as sovereign by only 11 other nations, but is treated as de facto independent by Western powers such as the United States.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In a letter to Newsom in June, commission Vice Chair Siva Gunda said the main factors driving refinery closures were falling demand for gasoline, increasing competition from global consolidation, aging infrastructure requiring significant maintenance, and a high cost of operating.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The armature around the scenes—cameras and mikes and props, along with the people who operate and manage them—adds to the austere, theatrical atmosphere.—
Naomi Fry,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The film now joins the Criterion Collection in a new digital restoration supervised by Littman.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Minnesota’s healthcare system is supervised by the state but delivered at the local level by the state’s 87 counties.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Its ability to tolerate city life, its cold hardiness, and the ballooning technique that carries it on the wind all point to a species that will continue expanding its range across the country.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
17 Mar. 2026
-
But the alliance collapsed as political rivals accused France Unbowed politicians of tolerating antisemitic rhetoric.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Cossey will lead the district’s technology services team and oversee systems that support instruction, communication, data security, and operational efficiency across the district, according to the news release.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The wait times and pay changes are a result of a partial shutdown that began in mid-February after Congress failed to pass funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees TSA.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Still, Washington’s custodianship has loosened the grip of hardliners.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
19 Mar. 2026
-
With concerns growing about a global energy crisis, an Iranian official said Tehran had no intention of relinquishing its tight grip on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for oil.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The question box includes a space for your name, but this is optional.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
-
State officials also cited a government code that protects names of superintendent applicants from public release.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handle. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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