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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6

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
Chief Justice John Roberts, who handles emergency petitions out of Virginia, will decide whether to reject the petition on his own or refer the petition to the full Supreme Court for a decision. Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 11 May 2026 The concierge handles that matchmaking from the member’s profile, pairing travelers to properties based on preferences rather than price. Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 11 May 2026 Local law enforcement handles airport security and is investigating with support from the FAA and TSA. Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026 Keller handles Odessa Permian in sweep Senior pitcher Cole Koeninger, a Tennessee signee, helped lead Keller to a close out 9-1 win over Odessa Permian in Game 2 of their Class 6A Division I area-round series on Friday night at Lubbock Memorial High School. Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 May 2026 On average, the delivery station handles close to 55,000 packages a day. Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 9 May 2026 Ford estimated the business typically handles between 30 and 50 deliveries during an average week, but Mother’s Day week can push that total to 100 to 150 pickups, deliveries and walk-in orders combined. J.m. Banks may 9, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2026 Global Rescue handles roughly 100,000 assistance calls annually, with about 3,000 escalating into active rescue or evacuation operations. Barbara Booth, CNBC, 9 May 2026 Powered by the MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor, the CM30 handles everyday tasks such as web browsing, document editing, streaming, and video calls smoothly. Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 9 May 2026
Noun
If the bike does not stop quickly when pressing on the brake handles, or the handles collapse to the grip without any braking power, they can be adjusted. Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2026 Leclerc himself picked various custom details, such as the door handles and the elegant Corian Calacatta Greige acrylic throughout. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 8 May 2026 This 3-piece stainless steel gardening tool set includes a trowel, cultivator, and weeder, all with handles boasting a pink floral pattern. Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 4 May 2026 The silver colorway pairs nicely with the Nelson duffel in black leather draped over the telescopic handles. Benjamin Liong Setiawan, Travel + Leisure, 4 May 2026 James Comey gets indicted again, the Pentagon says how much the Iran war has cost taxpayers, and viral trend is removing door handles. Jeremy Mikula, NBC news, 2 May 2026 The grab handles, as well as much of the build plate assembly, are covered with plastic, which gives the machine a less-than-premium feel. Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 2 May 2026 This checkpoint-friendly backpack will get you through airport security in no time, and the rear strap can slide over most luggage handles for easier travel. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 1 May 2026 Dishwasher doors and handles are usually wiped down regularly, but the interiors of appliances are often neglected. Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handles
Verb
  • But more than any business accolade, Leah has found success doing the thing that every influencer wants to but almost none manages.
    Anna Peele, Vanity Fair, 14 May 2026
  • The movie manages to be rigorously muddled despite not being all that complicated.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • Shah treats daytime exertion as the precondition for nighttime rest, rather than the opposite.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 15 May 2026
  • In a culture built around convenience and replacement, their studio offers a different approach, one that treats damage not as an endpoint, but as the beginning of something that takes time to restore.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • And Cloudflare said the way the company operates has completely changed, adding that its AI use has increased by more than 600% in the last three months alone.
    Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
  • The machine operates with 200 qubits, and Chinese state media reported that key indicators, including the lifetime and reliability of its qubits, have already reached what researchers described as world-class levels.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026
Verb
  • Major Kevin Corbett, who works for the BSO’s detention department, testified that the rapper is kept in a 30-cell unit by himself and an emergency-response team — dressed in tactical attire — supervises him 24 hours a day.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026
  • The Chinese government officially recognizes five religions — Buddhism, Taoism, Catholicism, Protestantism and Islam — and tightly supervises them.
    ABC News, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In light of her public embarrassment, her author father, Greg, accepts a position as a visiting lecturer on campus to be close to his daughter in her time of need.
    Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
  • No honest measure of Jewish teachings accepts the distancing of religious interests from communal concerns.
    Joshua M. Davidson, New York Daily News, 11 May 2026
Verb
  • But Stephen Bell, who oversees Park 597, said his staff hasn't found any record of a successful eaglet hatching in Chicago for more than 100 years.
    ABC News, ABC News, 13 May 2026
  • Eskamani also called for reforms to how FWC oversees facilities housing the animals, as the agency is not equipped to perform medical checks on the animals.
    Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • Hosmer’s video showed evidence the Red Sox might have been identifying pitch grips from Valdez’s glove and relaying signs to hitters when a runner was on second base.
    Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 6 May 2026
  • Livro and Vico have escaped the grips of the neighborhood gang and are going to work for Ivan, doing maintenance on his yacht.
    Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Noun
  • That data consisted of random phone numbers and matches with names, call times and call durations.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 10 May 2026
  • The field’s absence of celebrity personalities and marquee names has prevented it from generating the kind of political electricity and energy typically associated with genuinely compelling electoral contests that capture sustained public attention.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Handles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handles. Accessed 16 May. 2026.

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