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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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of handles
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
Matt Parrott,
Arkansas Online,
28 June 2026
Everything arrived stacked neatly on top of each other in an insulated bag with ice packs to keep things fresh, and the package came with handles for easy transport.
—
Marisa Malanga,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 June 2026
Wilson explains that those differences include such elements as bespoke billet door handles and mirrors, LED headlights, and a tailgate equipped with a backup camera.
—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
26 June 2026
Routing by sensitivity alongside routing by complexity handles both at once.
—
Daniel Steele,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
Rust can also cause handles and rivets to become loose or weak over time.
—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
26 June 2026
This set has a lightweight, aluminum construction and EVA foam handles for just $120 now.
—
Alice Bennett,
Travel + Leisure,
26 June 2026
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
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
As the handles reach your chest, squeeze the muscles in the center of your back.
—
Matt Parrott,
Arkansas Online,
28 June 2026
Everything arrived stacked neatly on top of each other in an insulated bag with ice packs to keep things fresh, and the package came with handles for easy transport.
—
Marisa Malanga,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 June 2026
Wilson explains that those differences include such elements as bespoke billet door handles and mirrors, LED headlights, and a tailgate equipped with a backup camera.
—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
26 June 2026
Routing by sensitivity alongside routing by complexity handles both at once.
—
Daniel Steele,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
Rust can also cause handles and rivets to become loose or weak over time.
—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
26 June 2026
This set has a lightweight, aluminum construction and EVA foam handles for just $120 now.
—
Alice Bennett,
Travel + Leisure,
26 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handles
Verb
-
In urban areas, municipal departments run things, while the Texas Department of Public Safety frequently manages highway collisions.
-
The nonprofit public-private partnership manages the municipal district with services that include infrastructure planning, community engagement and more.
Verb
-
Supported by a gifted cast that includes Palestinian filmmaker Mohammad Bakri as a PLO commander, Riklis treats both sides with an equal amount of humanity and respect.
-
Ciba treats them not as sweet peripheral matter, but as records of reading under pressure.
Verb
-
With the expansion, AGH now operates three cath labs, three EP labs, two multiprocedural rooms and a hybrid surgical suite that can be used for either cath or EP procedures.
-
California typically operates with a spending deficit because Democrats spend more money than the state brings in.
Verb
-
Milshtein previously served as adviser to COGAT, which supervises civilian policy in the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip.
-
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.
Verb
-
The collection also accepts medical sharps, including diabetic needles, blood lancets, insulin pens, epi-pens, syringes, expired over-the-counter medicines and non-narcotic prescriptions.
-
That pressure should be maintained until Iran either fully accepts the three core conditions or the regime itself faces the prospect of collapse.
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.
-
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.
Noun
-
The loudest crash of gravitational waves ever heard has offered us insight into event horizons, the boundaries beyond which nothing can escape the grips of black holes.
-
For me, the purpose of art is to come to grips with the demons of the past, present, and future; to give form to chaos; to enable us to process fear; and to conceive of a different, more humane future.
Noun
-
Phaedra, not new to this rodeo, urges them to name names and put it all on the table.
-
The pair changed their names around that time.
Cite this Entry
“Handles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handles. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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