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 Two capable adults can manage it, but this is not a one-person Saturday-afternoon project. — Evan Russum, Architectural Digest, 22 Aug. 2026 Passive cooling sheets and toppers can help manage body heat, while powered water- and air-based systems can actively regulate the temperature right around you. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 22 Aug. 2026 The radar site is managed by the Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center. — CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026 Jury Duty has managed to deceive two unsuspecting do-gooders with civic duty and a company retreat. — Peter White, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for manage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for manage

Verb

Records show Denver's own city attorneys handled the Calderon case from its filing in August 2024 until April 2026, when the City Attorney opted to hire Wheeler Trigg O'Donnell.

— Brian Maass, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
With Watts purportedly stressed about finances in the wake of the Late Late Show’s end, McCollough volunteered to subsidize his costs by running his social media accounts and handling odd jobs like manning his merch stand.

— Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of handle

Verb

Many camps do not allow staff to use or carry phones while supervising campers.

— Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026
Ferndale school officials say high school students gained experience through drone filming crews, race-day event management and supervised flight projects.

— DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of supervise

Verb

After Araujo’s loan exit, Flick will need every single individual in defence to cope with the demands of the upcoming season.

— Pol Ballús, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
That means naming pregnant women explicitly in heatwave guidance, revisiting the heat thresholds that trigger official alerts, and assessing whether maternity units themselves can cope as temperatures rise.

— Catarina Rolfsdotter-Jansson, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of cope

Verb

Artificial intelligence has enabled the rapid rise of such tools, capable of digitally manipulating photos with little effort.

— Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
In a country where current and former governors command massive grassroots support and are often accused of working with local electoral officials to manipulate election results, analysts say the defections could work in Tinubu’s favor.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of manipulate

Verb

In 2024, the board of education named Matt Winters as its AI education specialist, making Utah the first state to create a full-time position overseeing the technology in schools.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
Chow, a trial lawyer by trade, led her own defense during the court case which – like all of Hong Kong’s national security cases – was heard by a panel of three judges selected to oversee such proceedings and not a jury.

— Chris Lau, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of oversee

Verb

But not before the former cheerleader caught a pass from Tebow and immediately did a split, drawing cheers from her favorite quarterback.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
But the band fury is as climactic as anything that could be done continuing to have the full ensemble play… and Dudamel looked happy enough to put his baton down, turn around and just watch the group play for a few minutes.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of do

Verb

Cush addressed the allegations at Monday’s board meeting, saying the district has no contracts with the Alive Center and the board members have not benefited from their involvement with both organizations.

— Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026
Toth said that the city had previously addressed allegations made by Saloum in the MDCR investigation, in which the MDCR determined there was insufficient evidence and dismissed Saloum's complaint.

— Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of address

Verb

Charlotte has temporarily barred uptown food vendors from operating after midnight, citing a rise in late-night violence in the area.

— Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 22 Aug. 2026
In one specific day-time application the OLED display would burn out in less than one week of operation due to the amount of current required to operate the display degrading the cheaper OLED material so quickly.

— John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of operate

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manacling

manage

manageable

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Style

“Manage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/manage. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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