1
as in to manage
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 to treat
to behave toward in a stated way
handles all requests professionally, even when customers are rude
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
4
as in to supervise
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 to tolerate
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 to oversee
to be in charge of
I'll be handling the team's workouts while the leader is on vacation
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
2
as in name
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 nickname
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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of handle
Betsy Joles, NPR, 7 Mar. 2025
In the Oval Office on March 6, Trump was asked what department or agency would handle student loans if the Department of Education was dismantled.
—Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025
New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2025
In addition to the roomy size that fits light clothes, laptops, water bottles, and more, the bag has long handles that fit nicely around the shoulder to keep your hands free.
—Nicol Natale, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handle
Verb
This presented a challenge that Pakistani officials say the country was unprepared to handle.
—Betsy Joles, NPR, 7 Mar. 2025
In the Oval Office on March 6, Trump was asked what department or agency would handle student loans if the Department of Education was dismantled.
—Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
Along with saving weight and cutting possible redundancy, this design also gives the hiker two available handles for better feel and control.
—New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2025
In addition to the roomy size that fits light clothes, laptops, water bottles, and more, the bag has long handles that fit nicely around the shoulder to keep your hands free.
—Nicol Natale, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for handle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handle
Verb
-
Netanyahu, for his part, managed to survive beyond both of those presidencies and is still very much on the political scene today.—
Tevi Troy,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Factoring in Trump’s uncertainty Fed policymakers manage uncertainty by trying to predict the different ways the economy could evolve in the coming months, based on economic models using a vast array of data.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
In that case, a menopause specialist will look into treating individual symptoms, such as poor sleep.—
Mara Santilli,
Flow Space,
26 Feb. 2025
-
The man was treated at an area hospital for injuries, which were not caused by gunfire.—
Jason Green,
The Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
And so, your natural tendency to believe that everyone is operating in good faith takes a real beating.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
27 Feb. 2025
-
The Department of Health and Human Services has terminated a contract with a nonprofit that was paid millions each month to operate a Texas overflow facility that sat empty, according to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).—
Louis Casiano,
Fox News,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The Trump administration has denied in court papers that intends to abolish the agency completely, arguing that some of its functions are continuing, but Reuters on Monday reported top officials at the consumer agency have not allowed staff to resume supervising financial companies.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA TODAY,
5 Mar. 2025
-
General billed Medicare and other government insurers for surgeries performed by Harvard medical trainees without proper oversight because supervising surgeons were working in another operating room.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The plants will tolerate some dappled shade in areas with high temperatures.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2025
-
Tapped to become the replacement for Steve Rogers, Walker gets his hands on super soldier serum and doesn't exactly tolerate it as well as his predecessor.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Ali is overseeing a challenge to Mr. Trump's 90-day pause on foreign assistance brought by a group of nonprofits and businesses that receive foreign aid funding and argue the freeze is an unconstitutional exercise of presidential power.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2025
-
Simone Swink will oversee all Good Morning America branded shows, a change as GMA and GMA3 had previously operated separately, with Cat McKenzie as EP of the spinoff show.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
An optional Photography Kit can be bought to improve pictures, which includes a camera grip case, an external 2000mAh battery and more controls.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
-
But Ukraine has still managed to retain its grip on a chunk of territory, including the town of Sudzha, around six miles from the Ukrainian border.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The introduction catalyzed fixtures in pop culture like the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, Wicked’s more than 20-year run on Broadway and of course, the blockbuster movie of the same name in 2024 — with a second part coming in 2025.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
6 Mar. 2025
-
The cast features many bold-faced names like Simon Helberg, Ken Marino, Missi Pyle, Kiersey Clemons, Angelique Cabral and Paul Adelstein.—
Chris Gardner,
The Hollywood Reporter,
6 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Handle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handle. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share