Synonyms of handles

handles 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of handle

1

as in manages

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

• manages
• addresses
• manipulates
• treats
• negotiates
• takes
• plays
• maneuvers
• swings
• contends (with)
• fields
• pulls
• controls
• grapples (with)
• comes to grips with
• hacks
• has a grip on
• regulates
• copes (with)
• engineers
• steers
• directs
• guides
• carries out
• finesses
• gets off
• responds (to)
• reacts (to)
• carries off
• commands
• runs
• jockeys
• brings off
• micromanages

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fumbles
• mishandles
• bungles
• botches
• muffs
• messes (up)
• goofs (up)
• louses up
• scamps
• foozles

2

as in treats

to behave toward in a stated way

handles all requests professionally, even when customers are rude

Synonyms & Similar Words

• treats
• serves
• uses
• is (to)
• acts (toward)
• deals (with)
• regards
• does by
• considers
• responds (to)
• reacts (to)
• views
• engages (with)
• rates
• reckons
• esteems

3

as in operates

to control the mechanical operation of

learned how to handle basic woodworking power tools

Synonyms & Similar Words

• operates
• uses
• works
• runs
• manipulates
• drives
• wields
• controls
• maneuvers
• directs
• guides
• steers
• plies
• commands
• pilots

4

as in supervises

to look after and make decisions about

she takes care of the flower beds, and he handles all the lawn care

Synonyms & Similar Words

• manages
• operates
• supervises
• oversees
• regulates
• controls
• conducts
• runs
• governs
• directs
• administers
• tends
• keeps
• guides
• protects
• administrates
• watches over
• overlooks
• superintends
• carries on
• leads
• steers
• presides (over)
• watches
• stewards
• guards
• safeguards
• cares (for)
• minds
• pilots
• micromanages
• stage-manages
• codirects
• comanages

5

as in accepts

to put up with (something painful or difficult)

I can't handle much more of this foul weather

Synonyms & Similar Words

• accepts
• stands
• tolerates
• endures
• takes
• sustains
• absorbs
• bears
• supports
• wears
• swallows
• meets
• sticks out
• stands for
• pockets
• lives with
• abides
• stomachs
• hacks
• lumps (it)
• goes
• brooks
• countenances
• sweats out
• bides
• suffers
• allows
• permits
• toughs it out
• reconciles (to)
• yields (to)
• submits (to)
• consents (to)
• agrees (with or to)
• respects
• assents (to)
• acquiesces
• capitulates

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refuses
• rejects
• dismisses
• declines
• resists
• opposes
• turns down
• avoids
• repudiates
• spurns
• fights
• combats
• escapes
• misses
• contests
• bypasses
• evades
• circumvents
• eludes
• dodges
• refrains (from)
• abstains (from)
• forbears

6

as in oversees

to be in charge of

I'll be handling the team's workouts while the leader is on vacation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• supervises
• oversees
• manages
• steers
• commands
• directs
• controls
• heads
• runs
• bosses
• overlooks
• guides
• watches over
• orders
• superintends
• administers
• monitors
• shows
• captains
• calls the tune (for)
• calls the shots (of)
• rides herd on
• quarterbacks
• governs
• rules
• reigns
• presides (over)
• shepherds

handles

2 of 2

noun

plural of handle

1

as in grips

a part by which an implement is held

was given a set a steak knives with wooden handles

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grips
• hilts
• bows
• loops
• handgrips
• hafts
• helves
• shafts
• handlebars
• bars
• bails
• crops
• broomsticks
• whipstocks

2

as in names

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

• names
• monikers
• titles
• nomenclatures
• nicknames
• designations
• banners
• epithets
• denominations
• surnames
• pseudonyms
• cognomens
• denotations
• compellations
• appellations
• given names
• appellatives
• first names
• family names
• Christian names
• labels
• aliases
• maiden names
• tags
• baptismal names
• pen names
• middle names
• trivial names
• forenames
• brand names
• trade names
• patronymics
• matronymics
• sobriquets
• diminutives
• noms de plume
• bynames
• cryptonyms
• monomials
• trademarks
• noms de guerre
• binomials
• rubrics
• hypocorisms
• vernaculars
• misnomers

3

as in nicknames

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

• nicknames
• epithets
• surnames
• monikers
• aliases
• pseudonyms
• labels
• tags
• bynames
• cognomens
• titles
• sobriquets
• denominations
• designations
• pen names
• denotations
• appellations
• noms de plume
• anonyms
• noms de guerre

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of handles

Verb

California’s Labor Commissioner handles retaliation complaints arising under laws within its jurisdiction. — William Jones, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026

James’ office also handles other criminal work and has the power to investigate every death in the state involving law enforcement. — Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

The same is true of an observer of the object, or of someone who handles it. — Barry Schwabsky, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Double-bowl designs, such as Ruvati’s 33-inch model, let one side stay clean while the other handles prep. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 1 Oct. 2026

For Success​ The promise of agentic AI in finance is a better division of labor, where AI handles routine execution and finance professionals focus on higher-value work. — Ari Widlansky, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Tech co-founded Strange Music with O’Guin, building an independent company that handles recording, merchandise, touring, marketing and other functions in-house. — Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

The seeker handles important parts of the targeting process inside the weapon itself. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026

Latido Films handles international sales on the Spain-France-Mexico co-production, produced by Spain’s MLK Producciones and Horizon Media with France’s Plan B et Compagnie and Mexico’s Monstro Films. — Callum McLennan, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026

Noun

In these robberies, the suspects used a red Honda Accord with heavy tint, a sunroof and chrome door handles, police said. — ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026

The sedan features short overhangs and a streamlined side profile, which does get accentuated by the flat door handles. — New Atlas, 7 Oct. 2026

The house’s familiar domed shape was paired with top handles, gold-tone hardware and a detachable shoulder strap. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026

Ceramicist Lalese Stamps, who first earned a cult following by creating 100 mugs with 100 different handles, brings that same playful approach to this line’s organic shapes, inspired by puddles after rain. — Vy Yang, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2026

The days of swinging plastic handles may be coming to an end. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026

The tight-fitting lid helps retain heat and moisture, and the wide handles provide a secure grip. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 28 Sep. 2026

Métier’s Passerby North-South tote bag has a full-zip closure, sturdy handles, and plenty of pockets. — Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2026

The high heat and harsh detergents can damage both handles and blades. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2026