1
as in manages
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 treats
to behave toward in a stated way
handles all requests professionally, even when customers are rude
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
4
as in supervises
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 accepts
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 oversees
to be in charge of
I'll be handling the team's workouts while the leader is on vacation
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in grips
a part by which an implement is held
was given a set a steak knives with wooden handles
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in names
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 nicknames
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 handles
Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 13 Apr. 2026
The multicourse meal is a collaboration between head chef Ferguson, Carter (who also handles wine pairings), and the rest of the staff.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2026
OneNote handles note-taking, and Teams (free version) adds basic collaboration.
—Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 12 Apr. 2026
In Kansas City and Independence, the city’s health department enforces the food code while in Kansas, the state’s Department of Agriculture handles inspections.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2026
In countries including Japan and the Netherlands, the government handles the paperwork and then provides most taxpayers with a statement for review and approval.
—Binyamin Appelbaum, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026
The operator handles implementation.
—William Jones, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
One false move can lead to trouble, and it hap-pens sooner or later to just about everybody who handles these reptiles.
—Dr. C. E. Kuschel, Outdoor Life, 9 Apr. 2026
His wife, Mira, handles the company’s finances and also takes part in choosing furnishings and the decor style at each location.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026
Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026
The wood doors with rustic hinges and handles matched the stone base to a tee.
—Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2026
Scoop handles were in contact with food.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
april 10, Sacbee.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Simply slide the sleeve over your telescoping handles and drop your purse, tote, or small bag into the protective bag.
—Nathan Allen, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2026
Cargo racks and handles of all kinds?
—Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 8 Apr. 2026
The winery’s door handles are seahorses, and the bathrooms, marked with mermaid and pirate signage, each feature a large mermaid mural inside, painted by Barrett.
—Jess Lander, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Apr. 2026
There are three leather finishes available for the handles and accents—cognac, black and chocolate—all designed to pair with the brand’s backpack and briefcase ranges for a cohesive set.
—Charley Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
The sausage was held at an unsafe temperature, several food containers weren’t dated and the plastic spoons weren’t stored with the handles facing up.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
The South Korean entertainment conglomerate JYP Entertainment — which handles all aspects of its artists’ careers, acting as everything from a record label to a concert production company — created Twice, using a 2015 competitive reality TV series to choose the lineup.
—Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 13 Apr. 2026
The multicourse meal is a collaboration between head chef Ferguson, Carter (who also handles wine pairings), and the rest of the staff.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2026
OneNote handles note-taking, and Teams (free version) adds basic collaboration.
—Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 12 Apr. 2026
In Kansas City and Independence, the city’s health department enforces the food code while in Kansas, the state’s Department of Agriculture handles inspections.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2026
In countries including Japan and the Netherlands, the government handles the paperwork and then provides most taxpayers with a statement for review and approval.
—Binyamin Appelbaum, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026
The operator handles implementation.
—William Jones, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
One false move can lead to trouble, and it hap-pens sooner or later to just about everybody who handles these reptiles.
—Dr. C. E. Kuschel, Outdoor Life, 9 Apr. 2026
His wife, Mira, handles the company’s finances and also takes part in choosing furnishings and the decor style at each location.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
Gently wipe the cabinet, paying extra attention to spots around handles and edges.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026
The wood doors with rustic hinges and handles matched the stone base to a tee.
—Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2026
Scoop handles were in contact with food.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
april 10, Sacbee.com, 10 Apr. 2026
Simply slide the sleeve over your telescoping handles and drop your purse, tote, or small bag into the protective bag.
—Nathan Allen, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2026
Cargo racks and handles of all kinds?
—Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 8 Apr. 2026
The winery’s door handles are seahorses, and the bathrooms, marked with mermaid and pirate signage, each feature a large mermaid mural inside, painted by Barrett.
—Jess Lander, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Apr. 2026
There are three leather finishes available for the handles and accents—cognac, black and chocolate—all designed to pair with the brand’s backpack and briefcase ranges for a cohesive set.
—Charley Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
The sausage was held at an unsafe temperature, several food containers weren’t dated and the plastic spoons weren’t stored with the handles facing up.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handles
Verb
-
Nader Adeli, who manages Iranian American club team Arya FC's over-60 squad in Los Angeles, is worried the war might keep Iran from attending the World Cup.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Today, her husband owns and manages Sarah’s father’s dental practice now that her dad has retired.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Orkambi in 2015, Symdeko in 2018 and Trikafta in 2019, which ultimately treats up to 90% of CF patients in the United States.—
Courtney Crowder,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The definition of ultra-processing reflects a philosophy that idealizes traditional culinary practices and treats modern food processing methods as suspect, regardless of their health effects.—
David S. Ludwig,
STAT,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Trellis, which operates seasonally, hosts events Friday through Sunday for 22 weeks a year.—
Mary Divine,
Twin Cities,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Police said that the shooting was part of an ongoing gang beef between a gang that operates in the Bushwick Houses and another crew known as Money Over Everything.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The group recruits, trains and supervises volunteers who represent children in the foster care system in juvenile courts, according to its website.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
First To Serve, the nonprofit that supervises the hotel, did not respond to inquiries from The Times.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
California law places the responsibility for sidewalks on the adjacent property owner, but Davis typically accepts responsibility for all repairs and replacements.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Orbán's conduct has prompted a reexamination of how the EU accepts new members and monitors current ones.—
SAM McNEIL,
Arkansas Online,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rothman has led the system that oversees the state's four-year universities, including the flagship Madison campus, for nearly four years.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The state Senate’s committee that oversees higher education scheduled a hearing for Thursday for 10 regents whose appointments by Evers have yet to be confirmed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The grips take a little getting used to, though.—
Joe Salas
April 07,
New Atlas,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Whereas the Lexus yoke is shaped like a butterfly and Tesla’s yoke was half a rectangle, Mercedes has removed both the upper and lower portions of a traditional round steering wheel and closed off both sides of the grips.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Thirty-five names are on the ballot, including Keiko Fujimori, a conservative former congresswoman and daughter of the late President Alberto Fujimori.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Thirty-five names are on the ballot, including Keiko Fujimori, a conservative former congresswoman and daughter of late President Alberto Fujimori.—
Regina Garcia Cano,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handles. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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