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
Nick El Hajj, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
In this highly repressive environment, politicians should be putting greater distance between themselves and the handling of cultural money.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2026
The waterway is an essential passage for the energy market, handling about a quarter of the world’s seaborne oil trade in peacetime.
—Jake Lloyd-Smith, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handling
Noun
As one example, Simon pointed to Schultz’s handling of the Seattle SuperSonics.
—Nick El Hajj, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
In this highly repressive environment, politicians should be putting greater distance between themselves and the handling of cultural money.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
Studiocanal is on board as co-producer and is handling international sales.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2026
The waterway is an essential passage for the energy market, handling about a quarter of the world’s seaborne oil trade in peacetime.
—Jake Lloyd-Smith, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handling
Noun
-
Keogh said Hein is not solely to blame for the financial management problems but also said Groveland had outgrown his management style as the city gained over 10,000 residents during Hein’s tenure.—
James Wilkins,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Fredericson says that exercise also supports weight management by affecting appetite, increasing calorie burn and helping preserve lean muscle mass, which is essential for maintaining a healthy metabolism.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Number one, across the world, governments have pulled out of managing the economy, managing companies, and let the private sector do the job.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
At a dinner years ago, during his time managing a $1 billion mandate alongside JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, and Goldman Sachs, Grantham was administered an elaborate personality test featuring animal avatars.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As standard medications are not effective when treating multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, those infected will receive alternative treatment, the notice states.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The setting may be out of time, but speaks to the present, as the villagers’ conservatism manifests as rejection, suspicion and persecution — treating outsiders or non-conformists as an invading pathogen.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Former chief operating officer of Atlanta’s High Museum of Art, Brady Lum, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to a federal theft charge, ARTnews reports.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Of course, operating an outdoor gallery in the middle of the desert has its challenges, and during the summer, visitors are encouraged to keep an eye on the forecast and always stay hydrated.—
Alex Schechter,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Snow remains out of custody on bail, with conditions that include a prohibition against supervising children other than her own.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
John Trefry is co-executive producer and Aysu Saliba and Cara Tortora are supervising producers.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Investors aren't tolerating that anymore.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
9 Apr. 2026
-
While all the common camellia species make a fine hedge, the species Camellia sasanqua has the advantage of tolerating both full sun and partial shade.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That included a new pair of coordinators — Chris Marve, the defensive boss, and Brennan Marion, who’s overseeing the offense.—
Pat Graham,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, a powerful figure within Iran’s political system, is heading the team and is overseeing the overall direction of the negotiations.—
Dalia Abdelwahab,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Only one is needed for normal operations.—
William Harwood,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The administration approved a waiver covering Ford’s operations through November—roughly a month after the accident—rather than through May of this year, at which point Novelis expects New York production to be back online.—
Byron Hurd,
The Drive,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handling. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
