as in management
the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something
the handling of proper order in the courtroom is the job of the sergeant at arms
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in managing
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in treating
to behave toward in a stated way
handles all requests professionally, even when customers are rude
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in operating
to control the mechanical operation of
learned how to handle basic woodworking power tools
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in supervising
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 tolerating
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 overseeing
to be in charge of
I'll be handling the team's workouts while the leader is on vacation
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 handling
Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
Noem's handling of two deadly shootings by federal agents during the immigration crackdown in Minneapolis in January prompted criticism from Democrats and Republicans and kickstarted an impasse over funding for the agency that has persisted.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Colleen Mondor, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Intel’s internal testing showed that the Arc Pro B70 achieved significantly higher token throughput while handling AI workload requests from multiple users.
—Michael Justin Allen Sexton, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handling
Noun
Rather than focusing on complex assembly tasks, the deployment currently targets specific industrial activities such as material handling and intra-logistics, where humanoid mobility and flexibility can be used in existing factory layouts.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
Noem's handling of two deadly shootings by federal agents during the immigration crackdown in Minneapolis in January prompted criticism from Democrats and Republicans and kickstarted an impasse over funding for the agency that has persisted.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
This was standard operating procedure for LaGuardia and other airports for the midnight shift—but which of the two controllers was responsible for ground-control duties, and whether that controller was also handling arrivals in the minutes surrounding the accident, remains unclear.
—Colleen Mondor, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2026
Intel’s internal testing showed that the Arc Pro B70 achieved significantly higher token throughput while handling AI workload requests from multiple users.
—Michael Justin Allen Sexton, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handling
Noun
-
The intense heat wave threatens to make water management all the more challenging.—
Mira Rojanasakul,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Vireo Growth also signed a management services agreement to run the retail locations until the deal closes, which is expected to happen in the first half of the year.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Switzerland has had close diplomatic ties to the United States, managing its consular interests in Iran through the Swiss mission in Tehran and providing a venue for two rounds of nuclear negotiations with Iran in February as well as for negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Becoming less invested in managing outcomes and keeping everything together?—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Rather than treating military power as spectacle, this category focuses on function.—
Interesting Engineering,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Mar. 2026
-
That’s one reason many clinicians now emphasize quality of life alongside safety when treating swallowing disorders.—
Sundeep Venkatesan,
The Conversation,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Kenya’s flag carrier is operating at near full capacity as the war in the Middle East drives up demand, the company’s CEO said.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Qatar Airways is operating a limited number of flights through March 28—a list that now includes New York, Miami, London, and dozens of other destinations—as Qatari airspace remains largely closed.—
Graham Rapier,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Everett’s duties included supervising the equestrian facilities, snack bar operations, facility maintenance and various administrative requirements, such as assisting the association in securing water rights and the HOA Board of Directors election.—
Regina Elling,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The state retained oversight under the contract, but turned over most responsibilities for the children over to Empower, including finding homes for them and supervising their cases.—
Jane Harper,
Dallas Morning News,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But the alliance collapsed as political rivals accused France Unbowed politicians of tolerating antisemitic rhetoric.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Native to East Africa, this drought-tolerant plant doesn't need a lot of attention, tolerating underwatering and a variety of light conditions.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Cappu Films head of sales Janice Woo is overseeing negotiations, with further talks underway at Hong Kong FilMart.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The Late Late Show with James Corden was nearly up, Longman had in fact been summoned by Michaels to the meeting to sound him out about overseeing a British version of SNL.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Manolo’s Bakery, which became a hub of protests and activism during the operation, lost more than $50,000 from having to close shop.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The initial rally happened on June 14, a week after the uptick in immigration enforcement operations in LA County.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handling. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
