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
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Jan. 2026
ChatGPT handles the thinking work that used to require a whole team.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The Home Office oversees the special body that handles decisions over the security of royals, diplomats and VIPS, the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC).
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 25 Jan. 2026
Kiri’s Evy is complicated and fascinating, and the actor expertly handles a role that essentially is a one-woman play, with nearly all her co-stars (except the mother) not physically present and only in voice-over.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 25 Jan. 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.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
Moçambique Audiovisual also handles domestic distribution, with consultancy by Fistaile.
—Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
Independent Wellness handles its own medication fulfillment, which means prescriptions are shipped to your door.
—Zoe Weiner, Flow Space, 23 Jan. 2026
Kaufmann was first elected to the Iowa House in 2012 and previously served as the chair of the Ways and Means Committee, which handles tax policy.
—Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 8 Jan. 2026
Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Flagg, standing at 6-foot-9, does have the handles to run the offense, but many believe his natural position is forward.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026
The handles can accommodate a padlock to further secure valuable items.
—Ali Faccenda, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
Many have outdoor soaking tubs with hot and cold handles, and then a special faucet that delivers water directly from the hot springs for an ultra-private soak.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026
Two scoops used for dry foods were stored with the handles in direct contact with sugar and flour, creating a contamination risk.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
january 30, Sacbee.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Kalidi Nylon Tote Bag Rather than faux leather handles and a canvas body, this option from Kalidi features a nylon construction and canvas handles.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 30 Jan. 2026
Oversized handles or trendy colored knobs can be distracting and disproportionate, which can throw off the entire space.
—Jane Kim, The Spruce, 29 Jan. 2026
Portability Many infrared heating pads, particularly smaller ones, come with carrying handles or cases so they can be taken on the go.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
Unlike end-of-life recycling plants, the CRCC primarily handles unused cells and residues from pilot production.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Jan. 2026
ChatGPT handles the thinking work that used to require a whole team.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The Home Office oversees the special body that handles decisions over the security of royals, diplomats and VIPS, the Royal and VIP Executive Committee (RAVEC).
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 25 Jan. 2026
Kiri’s Evy is complicated and fascinating, and the actor expertly handles a role that essentially is a one-woman play, with nearly all her co-stars (except the mother) not physically present and only in voice-over.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 25 Jan. 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.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 23 Jan. 2026
Moçambique Audiovisual also handles domestic distribution, with consultancy by Fistaile.
—Emiliano De Pablos, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
Independent Wellness handles its own medication fulfillment, which means prescriptions are shipped to your door.
—Zoe Weiner, Flow Space, 23 Jan. 2026
Kaufmann was first elected to the Iowa House in 2012 and previously served as the chair of the Ways and Means Committee, which handles tax policy.
—Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
Passengers in front and behind us whispered, a few stood up, and some clung to the bars and handles.
—Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Flagg, standing at 6-foot-9, does have the handles to run the offense, but many believe his natural position is forward.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026
The handles can accommodate a padlock to further secure valuable items.
—Ali Faccenda, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026
Many have outdoor soaking tubs with hot and cold handles, and then a special faucet that delivers water directly from the hot springs for an ultra-private soak.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 2026
Two scoops used for dry foods were stored with the handles in direct contact with sugar and flour, creating a contamination risk.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
january 30, Sacbee.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Kalidi Nylon Tote Bag Rather than faux leather handles and a canvas body, this option from Kalidi features a nylon construction and canvas handles.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 30 Jan. 2026
Oversized handles or trendy colored knobs can be distracting and disproportionate, which can throw off the entire space.
—Jane Kim, The Spruce, 29 Jan. 2026
Portability Many infrared heating pads, particularly smaller ones, come with carrying handles or cases so they can be taken on the go.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handles
Verb
-
Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM) manages the fund on behalf of the Norwegian population.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
-
This person the one who manages your manager.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
So the house went searching for the kind of workshop that still treats crystal as craft, landing with a fourth-generation maker in Bohemia to hand-etch each of the 200 bottles.—
Adam Hurly,
Robb Report,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Stanton treats the exchange in such rudimentary, flat fashion that any connection between us and the character is lost.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This process, called the solar dynamo, operates deep below the surface.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
-
That spirit led him to cofound Hummingbird Resources a year earlier, which began as a grassroots exploration company and today operates mines in three West African countries.—
Jill Newman,
Robb Report,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Rodriguez works at an after-school program in Orange County and supervises third graders.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The position directly supervises all parole agent specialists and parole agent supervisors assigned to the Division of Training Unit.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
January 5,
Sacbee.com,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Volume 1 about a troubled pregnant woman who accepts an invite to a dinner party which degenerates into a bloody and demented nightmare.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The no-cost plan accepts simple state and federal returns reporting W-2 income, the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, deductions for student loan interest and some interest and dividends.—
Brian Sloan,
CNBC,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Powell this week oversees his third-to-last meeting as chair, with his term ending on May 15.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
-
According to Arno Eichberger, who oversees scientific operations, the simulator produces results that closely match real-world driving conditions.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Bitter cold grips much of the nation Meanwhile, bitter cold followed in the storm’s wake.—
Charlotte Kramon,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The slim, precision wand grips even the straightest lashes, creating a wide-awake, lash-lift effect in just one coat.—
Olivia Cefalu,
InStyle,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Ensure the names on your ID and Social Security card match exactly.—
Detroit Free Press Staff,
Freep.com,
2 Feb. 2026
-
The Patriots’ defensive production is also excellent, and names such as nose tackle Khyiris Tonga, linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson and safety Craig Woodson (a rookie from Cal) wouldn’t be under the radar any longer with a seventh Lombardi trophy for the franchise.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handles. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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