MANAGE Synonyms: 103 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

manage

verb

ˈma-nij

Definition of manage

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to supervise

to look after and make decisions about managed a household and a business simultaneously

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 manage North Side managed to move the ball into Arlington Heights’ territory late in the first quarter but was unable to capitalize. — Aliza Acuna, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2026 After hours of torture, Chamberlain managed to free one of her hands from a pair of handcuffs with her teeth, unclip a leather leg restraint and quietly bolt out the door as Evonitz slept. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Most stayed on significantly longer than Zacharia (the bar is low, after all), and at least a few managed to leave a lasting impression. — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 The Buckeyes still managed to snap a three-game losing streak against top 10 foes. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for manage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for manage

Verb

Tippett’s team animated physical puppets, while ILM handled compositing and digital fire, smoke and explosions.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Needless to say, the system has to be robust enough to handle battlefield conditions, including electronic warfare and communications blackouts.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of handle

Verb

Fisker Automotive said that an internal investigation supervised by transportation regulators found salt corrosion had caused a short circuit in the battery, leading to the fire, rather than a preexisting defect.

— Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Moton discussed it and his future with numerous people, including his family and Panthers team doctor Nancy Gritter, who supervised much of his care.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of supervise

Verb

People with the second phenotype, called durable, might have grown up in a predictable world—for example, a strict religious sect or just a family that experienced little change—and developed only certain coping strategies as a result.

— Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Multiple uses John LoRusso, UConn master gardener coordinator for Windham County, said that leaves are a free precious resource for gardens and wildlife, offering nutrients for the soil and helping plants better cope through the winter months.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of cope

Verb

Its tech helped investigators find that former Toronto Raptors big man Jontay Porter manipulated his play on behalf of bettors.

— Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Instead of filming hands of actual workers, young men with GoPro cameras strapped to their heads record themselves doing jobs while holding and manipulating what look like grippy robot claws.

— Diaa Hadid, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of manipulate

Verb

The list of senior executives did not answer the question of who would oversee the old Paramount and Warner Bros.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Florida has the nation’s busiest death chamber DeSantis, who leaves office in January, oversaw 19 executions in 2025, more than any other Florida governor in a single year since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976.

— David Fischer, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of oversee

Verb

PhotoTat can have additional practical applications, including for medical tattoos like those done on cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.

— Devika Rao, TheWeek, 19 Oct. 2026
OpenAI has reportedly floated the idea of giving the government up to a 5% stake in the company and suggested other leading AI companies do the same.

— Sarah Cannon, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of do

Verb

But that concern has been addressed here thanks to the aforementioned brake upgrades, which deliver confident stopping power at speed as well as excellent pedal feel.

— Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Word of her ouster leaked before the executive had the chance to address most of her internal teams — an announcement dovetailed with news of her incoming replacement, the venerated film and TV executive Peter Rice.

— Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of address

Verb

The integration could help American troops operate uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) when adversaries attempt to disrupt battlefield communications.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
The team’s last-second win over the Philadelphia Eagles last week in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was organized and operated by the NFL, part of the league’s more standard rotation of all teams playing overseas.

— Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of operate

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manacling

manage

manageable

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“Manage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manage. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of manage

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