Synonyms of handles

handles 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of handle

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

• manages
• addresses
• manipulates
• treats
• negotiates
• takes
• plays
• maneuvers
• swings
• contends (with)
• fields
• pulls
• controls
• grapples (with)
• comes to grips with
• hacks
• has a grip on
• regulates
• copes (with)
• engineers
• steers
• directs
• guides
• carries out
• finesses
• gets off
• responds (to)
• reacts (to)
• carries off
• commands
• runs
• jockeys
• brings off
• micromanages

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fumbles
• mishandles
• bungles
• botches
• muffs
• messes (up)
• goofs (up)
• louses up
• scamps
• foozles

2

as in treats

to behave toward in a stated way

handles all requests professionally, even when customers are rude

Synonyms & Similar Words

• treats
• serves
• uses
• is (to)
• acts (toward)
• deals (with)
• regards
• does by
• considers
• responds (to)
• reacts (to)
• views
• engages (with)
• rates
• reckons
• esteems

3

as in operates

to control the mechanical operation of

learned how to handle basic woodworking power tools

Synonyms & Similar Words

• operates
• uses
• works
• runs
• manipulates
• drives
• wields
• controls
• maneuvers
• directs
• guides
• steers
• plies
• commands
• pilots

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

• manages
• operates
• supervises
• oversees
• regulates
• controls
• conducts
• runs
• governs
• directs
• administers
• tends
• keeps
• guides
• protects
• administrates
• watches over
• overlooks
• superintends
• carries on
• leads
• steers
• presides (over)
• watches
• stewards
• guards
• safeguards
• cares (for)
• minds
• pilots
• micromanages
• stage-manages
• codirects
• comanages

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

• accepts
• stands
• tolerates
• endures
• takes
• sustains
• absorbs
• bears
• supports
• wears
• swallows
• meets
• sticks out
• stands for
• pockets
• lives with
• abides
• stomachs
• hacks
• lumps (it)
• goes
• brooks
• countenances
• sweats out
• bides
• suffers
• allows
• permits
• toughs it out
• reconciles (to)
• yields (to)
• submits (to)
• consents (to)
• agrees (with or to)
• respects
• assents (to)
• acquiesces
• capitulates

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refuses
• rejects
• dismisses
• declines
• resists
• opposes
• turns down
• avoids
• repudiates
• spurns
• fights
• combats
• escapes
• misses
• contests
• bypasses
• evades
• circumvents
• eludes
• dodges
• refrains (from)
• abstains (from)
• forbears

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

• supervises
• oversees
• manages
• steers
• commands
• directs
• controls
• heads
• runs
• bosses
• overlooks
• guides
• watches over
• orders
• superintends
• administers
• monitors
• shows
• captains
• calls the tune (for)
• calls the shots (of)
• rides herd on
• quarterbacks
• governs
• rules
• reigns
• presides (over)
• shepherds

handles

2 of 2

noun

plural of handle

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

• grips
• hilts
• bows
• loops
• handgrips
• hafts
• helves
• shafts
• handlebars
• bars
• bails
• crops
• broomsticks
• whipstocks

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

• names
• monikers
• titles
• nomenclatures
• nicknames
• designations
• banners
• epithets
• denominations
• surnames
• pseudonyms
• cognomens
• denotations
• compellations
• appellations
• given names
• appellatives
• first names
• family names
• Christian names
• labels
• aliases
• maiden names
• tags
• baptismal names
• pen names
• middle names
• trivial names
• forenames
• brand names
• trade names
• patronymics
• matronymics
• sobriquets
• diminutives
• noms de plume
• bynames
• cryptonyms
• monomials
• trademarks
• noms de guerre
• binomials
• rubrics
• hypocorisms
• vernaculars
• misnomers

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

• nicknames
• epithets
• surnames
• monikers
• aliases
• pseudonyms
• labels
• tags
• bynames
• cognomens
• titles
• sobriquets
• denominations
• designations
• pen names
• denotations
• appellations
• noms de plume
• anonyms
• noms de guerre

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of handles

Verb

Dehydration affects how your body handles heat after dark and can leave you overheating in your sleep. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026

In many agencies, a new structure is emerging where AI now handles routine production tasks faster than any junior team could. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 July 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

Oman has said that any agreement will comply with international law, although the prospect of a financial system on a waterway that typically handles around 20% of the world's oil has sparked alarm. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 3 July 2026

Every July 4, the communications center in Rancho Cordova handles its highest call volume. — Andrew Graham july 3, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2026

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

Jaclyn Sienna India, founder of Sienna Charles, a concierge firm that handles the travel and lifestyle needs of clients worth a billion dollars or more, says the best offerings tend to be more intimate than extravagant. — Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2026

Illinois The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) handles transgender athlete participation through a formal policy, requiring students to submit documentation to their school to compete in accordance with their gender identity. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Noun

The durable, wood-like texture is UV- and weather-resistant, and has handles on the side. — Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Guest bedrooms are equally considered with modern light fixtures and deluxe walk-in closets with brass handles. — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 29 June 2026

Other modifications include a one-piece floor, improved hold-down handles and reduced bulk, Steber said. — Jack Dura, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Authorities traced the handles and identified Fuller and Brown, the affidavit states. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026

Many basic jump ropes are $10-$15, while those with extra features like ergonomic handles or ball bearings cost closer to $30. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 2 July 2026

Attendees swap numbers and Instagram handles, but friendships and unexpected community ties form just as often. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026

The chassis itself leans heavily toward function over luxury aesthetics, with thick ventilation channels, recessed handles, dense connector layouts, and a distinctly industrial feel throughout. — Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 29 June 2026

But besides hotel coffee makers and practically anything in a bathroom, other notoriously contaminated hotel surfaces include telephones, light switches, refrigerator handles, coffee mugs, and doorknobs. — Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 30 June 2026