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

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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

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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 Instead of being driven by shareholders’ demands, VW managed to stay at the top of the global auto rat race while strategy was determined by trade unions and socialist politicians. — Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 The investment includes $400 million from the Department of War and another $400 million from private investors through a fund managed by Pinnacle Asset Management. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026 More than $1 billion in financing to buy the Dodgers in 2012 came from insurance companies managed by Guggenheim Partners. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026 Camille only wants Juliette to help her manage Silo 18’s transition into memory loss. — Noel Murray, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for manage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for manage

Verb

Loading silverware handles down and usable ends up ensures maximum cleanliness but may lead to accidents.

— Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2026
Sánchez is facing mounting scrutiny amid a prolonged humanitarian crisis in Ceuta, where the flood of thousands of migrants has angered residents in the tiny community, which is ill-equipped to handle such an influx.

— Suman Naishadham, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of handle

Verb

While not directly involved in controlling the system, humans give Spike rules of engagement all the while, supervising the entire system during operation.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
Weerasethakul supervised the 4K restorations, which include remastered and remixed audio and new key art for each film.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of supervise

Verb

At least 788 people have died in Nepal, where authorities are struggling to cope with the mounting number of bodies, and at least 16 have died in China.

— Bhadra Sharma, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Authorities carried out a temporary burial of about 100 victims on Saturday, officials said, as forensic teams struggled to cope.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of cope

Verb

Last Wednesday, Meta reached a settlement with the attorneys general of forty-seven states, who had sued it for illegally manipulating the attention of children.

— Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
The finding could matter for quantum computers, where lasers are used to manipulate qubits and even tiny changes in their interactions can affect the accuracy of quantum operations.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of manipulate

Verb

The actors first appeared together in 2001 movie Ocean’s 11, in which Clooney’s Danny oversees a group of thieves during an ambitious heist.

— Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
Fischer brings experience overseeing finance at a large public company accustomed to making long-term infrastructure investments.

— Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of oversee

Verb

As Korean growth picks up, President Lee Jae Myung could be excused for thinking his job as an economic reformer is done.

— William Pesek, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Quarterback Jack Strand made the Atlanta Falcons’ initial 53-man roster Sunday, and running back Tyler Goodson did not.

— Josh Kendall, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of do

Verb

Some help surgeons operate with greater precision, while others disinfect rooms, transport supplies, assist patients during rehabilitation, or provide comfort to people who are distressed.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Eight other reservoirs operated by the Bureau of Reclamation recently recorded the lowest levels in at least the last 30 years.

— Wufei Yu, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of operate

Browse Nearby Words

manacling

manage

manageable

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“Manage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manage. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of manage

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