handles 1 of 2

Definition of handlesnext
present tense third-person singular of handle
1
2
as in treats
to behave toward in a stated way handles all requests professionally, even when customers are rude

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
as in operates
to control the mechanical operation of learned how to handle basic woodworking power tools

Synonyms & Similar Words

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handles

2 of 2

noun

plural of handle

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 handles
Verb
The Department of State, which handles visa applications from abroad, has not released its full 2025 data, but the numbers through September show a similar picture. Ignacio Calderon, USA Today, 23 June 2026 In Kansas City and Independence, each city’s health department enforces the food code while in Kansas, the state’s Department of Agriculture handles inspections. Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 22 June 2026 When frequent movement breaks become a lifestyle habit, the cumulative effect is a body that moves better, feels better and handles stress more effectively. Dana Santas, CNN Money, 22 June 2026 Lang, an evp at the company, handles labor relations for Paramount’s motion picture division and manages studio back lot operations. Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 22 June 2026 The update comes even as industry trackers showed Iranian tankers continued to sail through the strait, a narrow waterway that typically handles around 20% of the world's oil traffic. Sam Meredith, CNBC, 22 June 2026 Russian sage is another crop that doesn't need much attention and handles dry weather happily. Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 21 June 2026 The team looked at hematopoietic stem cells, the blood-forming stem cells that generate every red blood cell, white blood cell and platelet in the body, and zeroed in on the lysosome, the part of the cell that handles cellular recycling. Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 June 2026 With just a single command, the robot automatically handles the entire welding process from start to finish. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 15 June 2026
Noun
The side walls are tall enough to keep most dishes from sliding off, and the handles are extra large for an easy grip. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 19 June 2026 Reliability has become a concern after a run of recalls (dumbbells from BowFlex, FitRx and Amazon Basics all had plate-disengagement issues; and PowerBlock had a narrow recall involving certain commercial handles). David Hochman, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026 Keep your core engaged and grip the machine handles. Jakob Roze, Health, 18 June 2026 Add other appliance handles and lightswitch plates to those high-touch items that could use a little cleaning attention. Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 18 June 2026 Mittens are great for grabbing hot cookware with easy-to-hold handles or lips, but pincers or gloves might serve you better for flat sheet pans, awkward vessels like bowls, or while using tongs, flipping fillets, and in slipperier situations. Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 June 2026 Like the Legion Go (and of course the Switch), this device features removable handles. Matthew Buzzi, PC Magazine, 14 June 2026 Faucets, stall locks, and door handles can all become frequent touchpoints throughout the day. Kristy Tolley, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handles
Verb
  • In July, a few dozen more parking spaces will be added to the Shoreline Amphitheater parking lot, bringing the total to about 200 spaces the nonprofit manages.
    Sharon Chin, CBS News, 18 June 2026
  • For example, our company manages 45,000 hectares of eucalyptus forest.
    Flavio Maluf, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Verb
  • This only treats the symptoms, however.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
  • Married to a physician who often treats SCD patients, to me, this is deeply personal.
    Audrey Boone Tillman, Fortune, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • The company leases the roof to a third-party solar company that operates and maintains the solar array.
    BrieAnna J. Frank, USA Today, 22 June 2026
  • This network operates on a hub-and-satellite model, allowing electronics to be collected and processed closer to where they are retired rather than being shipped long distances to a small number of centralized facilities.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • Milshtein previously served as adviser to COGAT, which supervises civilian policy in the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 19 May 2026
  • As chief of patrol, Hein supervises the most visible aspects of the Police Department that define its image in the minds of most Chicagoans, including emergency response, crisis intervention, traffic control, routine patrol and community policing efforts.
    Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2026
Verb
  • Sur La Table accepts kids and teens ages 7 to 17.
    Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2026
  • If a jury accepts the defense, it is obligated to convict a defendant of manslaughter, which is punishable by up to 25 years in prison, instead of murder, which carries a potential life sentence.
    Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • There are approximately 3,800 public highway/rail crossings in Missouri, but state funding only allows for improvements to around 30 to 35 crossings per year, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation’s (MODOT) Office of Multimodal Operations, which oversees rail services in the state.
    The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2026
  • In addition to his literary career, Sarris oversees the multibillion-dollar Graton Resort & Casino, and uses gaming revenue for tribal housing, education and activism, even as the project exposes tensions over wealth, power and belonging in Sonoma County.
    Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
Noun
  • Concurrently, the Metcalf family is coming to grips with the world having access to the graphic and disturbing audio and visuals that Collin County Courts made public.
    Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
  • Coming to grips Prepare for sparks to fly.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • Full and new moons' names are traditionally used to track the seasons, the almanac states.
    Julia Gomez, USA Today, 22 June 2026
  • Create an agenda that names who does what, and map the route so your thoughtful plan serves the group together.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Handles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handles. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.

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