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

Taylor Farms works with hundreds of family farms for its produce and handles processing, packaging and distribution itself. — Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

As a private entity, LifeWise handles its program independently, including parent opt-ins, locations, scheduling and student transportation. — Kelsy Mittauer, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Normally, the Florida Highway Patrol handles crashes on the Overseas Highway, but, according to the incident report, troopers were unable to respond. — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026

This approach means the insect handles the physical navigation and positioning, while people control critical medical decisions. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026

That’s a lot to pack into a single home, but the 12,750-square-foot residence handles it all without feeling cramped. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 27 Aug. 2026

On the development and production side, Lumicraft’s AI casting tool Castlink pairs actor discovery with contracting and settlement, while Reproduction’s Pre-Flow handles screenplay analysis and production data sharing. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

Flores worked in a recruitment division, which handles job applications from aspiring officers. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

In healthcare, for example, an admissions department that once required 10 people may need two as AI handles referral summaries, reimbursement assessments and coordination workflows. — Dave Wessinger, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Noun

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

Modern electric door handles can fail in a crash if the electrical system is disabled, and mechanical backups are often hidden or complex, hindering escape for occupants or rescuers. — Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Have your child dip a finger into the paint, then make dots on the handles. — Jodi Levine, Parents, 21 Aug. 2026

Nine of the 11 automakers, including Tesla and Xiaomi, will install warning labels free of charge to identify the handles, while most will also deploy over-the-air (OTA) software updates. — Reuters, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

The records request also demands data concerning three Discord handles, including one for CyberLeek, along with three Discord chat servers. — Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026

Morris is a combo guard in the mold of BJ Davis, only maybe quicker, with a deadly shot and handles to get in the paint and distribute. — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026

Parents can back that up at home by wiping down high-touch surfaces such as light switches, desks and door handles. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 18 Aug. 2026