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
Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2025
Fremantle handles international production and distribution.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 8 Oct. 2025
The Forsytes is produced in association with ITV Studios, which handles international distribution, with PBS Distribution handling North American rights.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2025
From checking the latest from a favorite K-pop star to creating a soundtrack for a weekend road trip, ChatGPT handles the context and delivers relevant recommendations.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
Lindell handles very ugly, difficult matchups and usually comes out on top, regardless of who he’s partnered with.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
How the court handles the disputed evidence—and whether federal agencies correct or stand by their initial narrative—could shape not only this prosecution but also the broader debate over the use of force and accountability in federal immigration enforcement operations in Chicago.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Todd was previously a judge in the Davidson County General Sessions Court, which handles low-level cases and preliminary hearings in felony cases.
—Evan Mealins, Nashville Tennessean, 1 Oct. 2025
Walmart Fulfillment Services is technically the grant recipient, a Walmart division that handles the company’s e-commerce orders.
—Brian Gordon, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
Caitlyn Martyn
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025
The right rear passenger door was openable, but the electronic buttons failed and there were no handles on the outside to open the door, the complaint said.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2025
The containers all come with lids, can be stacked, and are designed with side handles for easy portability.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Its Liquid Retina display is bright and colorful, and the powerful M3 chip handles demanding apps with extreme ease.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 7 Oct. 2025
The convenient kit comes with floor and roofing materials, plus nails, screws, handles, door locks, and fixings, which means less time wasted running to the hardware store.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
If any carry-ons exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches, including the wheels and handles, as listed on American's website, gate agents will enforce the airline's policy of checking those in.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
The rolling suitcases are made with sturdy handles that can be set at one of three different heights.
—Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2025
There are multiple styles too, like those in which the handles swapped leather for shiny metals, adding a contemporary twist and masterfully pairing with the models’ midi skirts, playful outerwear clad in primary colors, and preppy tailoring.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
Weather sealing keeps it safe in tough conditions, and the autofocus system handles fast-moving subjects with ease.
—Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2025
Fremantle handles international production and distribution.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 8 Oct. 2025
The Forsytes is produced in association with ITV Studios, which handles international distribution, with PBS Distribution handling North American rights.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2025
From checking the latest from a favorite K-pop star to creating a soundtrack for a weekend road trip, ChatGPT handles the context and delivers relevant recommendations.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2025
Lindell handles very ugly, difficult matchups and usually comes out on top, regardless of who he’s partnered with.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
How the court handles the disputed evidence—and whether federal agencies correct or stand by their initial narrative—could shape not only this prosecution but also the broader debate over the use of force and accountability in federal immigration enforcement operations in Chicago.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Todd was previously a judge in the Davidson County General Sessions Court, which handles low-level cases and preliminary hearings in felony cases.
—Evan Mealins, Nashville Tennessean, 1 Oct. 2025
Walmart Fulfillment Services is technically the grant recipient, a Walmart division that handles the company’s e-commerce orders.
—Brian Gordon, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
Its dual-tank water system keeps clean and dirty water separate, while the multi-surface brush roll handles sealed hard floors and rugs.
—Caitlyn Martyn
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025
The right rear passenger door was openable, but the electronic buttons failed and there were no handles on the outside to open the door, the complaint said.
—Jennifer Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2025
The containers all come with lids, can be stacked, and are designed with side handles for easy portability.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
Its Liquid Retina display is bright and colorful, and the powerful M3 chip handles demanding apps with extreme ease.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 7 Oct. 2025
The convenient kit comes with floor and roofing materials, plus nails, screws, handles, door locks, and fixings, which means less time wasted running to the hardware store.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
If any carry-ons exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches, including the wheels and handles, as listed on American's website, gate agents will enforce the airline's policy of checking those in.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025
The rolling suitcases are made with sturdy handles that can be set at one of three different heights.
—Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2025
There are multiple styles too, like those in which the handles swapped leather for shiny metals, adding a contemporary twist and masterfully pairing with the models’ midi skirts, playful outerwear clad in primary colors, and preppy tailoring.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handles
Verb
-
That is precisely what this Million Dollar Lasagna manages to be.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Mun-ju manages to get through to Kim, relaying to him that the payment on the submarine has been frozen.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The statutory language in Colorado’s conversion therapy law treats sexuality and gender identity as equally protected, parallel characteristics.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Oct. 2025
-
In the next scene, Ed treats his first fan—his sometime girlfriend Adeline Watkins—to the spectacle of a dead, nude woman, eviscerated and strung up like a carcass in a slaughterhouse.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The bank now has 38,000 employees, operates in 19 countries, and manages assets of more than $600 billion.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
7 Oct. 2025
-
According to its website, the popular pizza chain, which was founded in 1971, operates 61 restaurants in Illinois, six in Indiana, two in Indiana and two in Wisconsin.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The private firm, which Yu says had $20 million in revenue in 2024, provides consulting, supervises construction and drafts designs for urban landscapes around the world.—
Elisabeth Brier,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Cucinelli supervises the company’s image and communication, especially through social platforms, and has greatly contributed to reach out to the younger generations.—
WWD Staff,
Footwear News,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The school is a part of Milwaukee's School of Choice voucher program, and accepts students from all faiths and backgrounds, but is still rooted in its heritage as an Islamic institution.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Drawn in by her fortune and allure, Calvin accepts an invitation aboard her superyacht Eternity, only to realize her glamorous world hides sinister secrets.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Florida Division of Emergency Management oversees the site.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The Ninth Circuit, which oversees Hawaii, held that the 2023 law is constitutional.—
Alyssa Kapasi,
NPR,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
New data showed manufacturing contracted this month, but less than expected, a hopeful indication that authorities may be coming to grips with industrial overcapacity.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Now, the father-daughter pair work together on the show as grips, the department responsible for camera support, rigging and more.—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Leaper Williams had no problem rattling off the names of John Hadl, Curtis McClinton and others on that team.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Is this group a bit lacking in depth after those names?—
Harman Dayal,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Handles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handles. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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