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

Loading silverware handles down and usable ends up ensures maximum cleanliness but may lead to accidents. — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2026

Investing features can be built into an app or other service, while a brokerage firm handles the transactions. — David Schepp, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026

The drag system handles up to 15 pounds – enough for most types of fish in lakes and ponds. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026

The phone was answered by a dispatcher at the North Pole Police Department, which handles calls for Delta Junction, the nearest town. — Jan Thacker, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026

The victim was a student at the school, which handles grades 9 through 12, records show. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026

The technology underlying advertising exchange targeted in the case handles 55 million requests per second, according to estimates provided by Google in court filings. — ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026

One clutch handles the odd gears, while another handles the even gears. — Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 2 Sep. 2026

Ludwig is produced in association with ITV Studios, which also handles international distribution. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

Noun

Mattia Sala, the product manager for SMEG USA, agrees that silverware handles should always point downward, but adds that silverware should be properly spaced out within a dishwasher’s silverware caddy. — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2026

Participating Letter Keepers act as collection points and return addresses, while letters cannot include phone numbers, social media handles or other personal contact information, according to BenitoLink. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026

Clean the Hardware Before cleaning the handles, knobs, or drawer pulls, consider the hardware material. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 1 Sep. 2026

The war has also transformed the way the FSB handles perceived political opponents of the regime. — Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026

The angled basement window, in particular, is an inspired bit of technical mastery, as are the pair of handles on the sides, reserved for the Flukeman and Alex Krycek, who are technically out of the picture, but always feel like a looming presence. — Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Due to brass shortages, some knives had to be made with wooden handles, out of compressed leather washers, or bakelite plastic. — David Szondy august 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026

This sophisticated serving tray gets a whimsical twist with the addition of squiggly handles. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026

Use a disinfecting spray and a rag to wipe down all hard surfaces, including the handles, zippers, the bottom, and lastly, the wheels. — Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2026