Synonyms of manage

manage

verb

ˈma-nij 

1

as in to handle

to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently

as usual, she managed the crisis with a minimum of fuss

Synonyms & Similar Words

• handle
• manipulate
• address
• take
• negotiate
• treat
• play
• maneuver
• cope (with)
• field
• hack
• contend (with)
• swing
• grapple (with)
• come to grips with
• regulate
• control
• pull
• have a grip on
• steer
• engineer
• carry out
• get off
• guide
• carry off
• direct
• micromanage
• respond (to)
• finesse
• react (to)
• jockey
• run
• command
• bring off

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• botch
• bungle
• fumble
• mishandle
• goof (up)
• louse up
• mess (up)
• scamp
• muff
• foozle

2

as in to supervise

to look after and make decisions about

managed a household and a business simultaneously

Synonyms & Similar Words

• supervise
• oversee
• operate
• handle
• regulate
• control
• conduct
• govern
• run
• administer
• keep
• tend
• protect
• direct
• administrate
• guide
• carry on
• superintend
• overlook
• preside (over)
• steer
• watch
• watch over
• steward
• lead
• safeguard
• care (for)
• pilot
• guard
• mind
• micromanage
• stage-manage
• comanage
• codirect

3

as in to cope

to meet one's day-to-day needs

it'll be hard for a few weeks, but we'll manage

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cope
• do
• survive
• afford
• get by
• get along
• make ends meet
• get on
• make out
• fare
• shift
• make do
• make shift
• contrive
• scrounge
• fend for oneself
• carry on
• eke out
• last
• squeeze
• scrape (by or through)
• wrest
• wring
• scrape (out)
• swing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fail
• fall short
• collapse
• decline
• flounder
• wane
• fizzle
• slump
• give up
• peter (out)

Synonym Chooser

How is the word manage distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of manage are conduct, control, and direct. While all these words mean "to use one's powers to lead, guide, or dominate," manage implies direct handling and manipulating or maneuvering toward a desired result.

manages a meat market

Where would conduct be a reasonable alternative to manage?

The words conduct and manage are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, conduct implies taking responsibility for the acts and achievements of a group.

conducted negotiations

When is control a more appropriate choice than manage?

In some situations, the words control and manage are roughly equivalent. However, control implies a regulating or restraining in order to keep within bounds or on a course.

controlling his appetite

When can direct be used instead of manage?

The meanings of direct and manage largely overlap; however, direct implies constant guiding and regulating so as to achieve smooth operation.

directs the store's day-to-day business

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of manage

But Stephen is really smart and has managed to ingratiate himself with Evan. —Olivia Truffaut-Wong, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2026

After rent, utilities and groceries became the hardest expenses to manage, especially since their apartment often housed visiting family members or former roommates. —Brianna Mantaras, Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026

In response to questions about shareholder connections, the company says funds managed by subsidiaries of Apollo Global Management Company are investors in Shutterfly, which is the parent company of Lifetouch. —Paula Wethington, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026

Treatment focuses on managing symptoms. —Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 17 Feb. 2026