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
Ana Ceballos, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The system is designed to handle complex, flexible warehouse tasks such as picking, box handling, packing, and inspection—areas that have traditionally relied on human labor.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
Alex Ritman, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026
The Environmental Protection Agency also has an entire website dedicated to the issue, as well as information on safely handling the bugs.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handling
Noun
Other Democrats have floated the possibility of impeaching Bondi over the handling of the Epstein files.
—Ana Ceballos, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The system is designed to handle complex, flexible warehouse tasks such as picking, box handling, packing, and inspection—areas that have traditionally relied on human labor.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
Nerger negotiated the deal with Yana Georgieva and Kriszta Lazlo of Bankside Films, which is handling international sales.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026
The Environmental Protection Agency also has an entire website dedicated to the issue, as well as information on safely handling the bugs.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handling
Noun
-
Pivotal's quality management system is also certified by SAE International, which sets global aviation safety standards.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Ed Dolshun has over 12 years’ experience in the pest management industry and is currently chief trapping officer and technical director at Catchmaster.—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The 30-year-old star, born Austin Richard Post, was born in New York but moved to Grapevine at 9 years old after Malone’s father, Rich Post, took a job managing concessions for the Dallas Cowboys.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Feb. 2026
-
He's considered a great in-game coach, who creates advantages in the margins, like on substitution patterns and managing the clock.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This includes budesonide, a steroid used in treating the inflammatory bowel disease Crohn's disease, and Medrol (methylprednisolone), which treats several inflammatory conditions.—
Ross Phan,
Verywell Health,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The company’s broader artificial intelligence suite already emphasizes anomaly detection and real-time monitoring of regulatory change, and this workforce and leave engine fits neatly into that narrative by treating time data as another stream to undergo continuous evaluation for risk.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In the long run, the companies will work toward a more unified retail experience, showing clearly that the two brands are operating as one team.—
Tianwei Zhang,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The health beat takes her inside operating rooms, laboratories and clinics to tell the story of health care from a human perspective.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As a producer, executive producer or supervising producer, Keller’s credits include 24 episodes of The Pretender, Boomtown, 17 episodes of Blue Bloods and the 2017 documentary King Cohen.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Additionally, Dropout staffer Ebony Elaine Hardin has been promoted from supervising producer to director of production.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Child psychiatrist and Yale School of Medicine professor Yann Poncin previously told USA TODAY that over time, technology exposure rewires the brain to expect instant gratification, depleting the brain’s cognitive patience and threshold for tolerating frustration in the process.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Specifically, kids this age are developing key emotional regulation skills, such as tolerating disappointment, embarrassment, as well as frustration and anger.—
Liz Regalia,
Parents,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In a June 2025 memo to Health Care Agency Director Veronica Kelley, Sabet noted that county staff failed to report its suspicions of abuse by 360 Clinic to the compliance office and fell short in overseeing the county’s $5 million contract with the vendor.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Because the state’s early learning system is still fragmented with multiple agencies overseeing these programs, state leaders are looking for solutions to improve performane.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Iranian officials said the ships were identified through intelligence monitoring and seized during coordinated naval operations in the Persian Gulf, a vital artery for global energy markets.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The Matrix program draws on experience in low-altitude operations, safety systems, and airworthiness certification.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handling. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
