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 Jackson once again claims more R&B hits in America than any other artist, and one of his most celebrated singles even manages to hit a new peak decades after its release. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 While Conwell managed to make a positive impact despite missing most of his shots on Friday, his outside shooting is still the skill that led the Heat to take him in the second round of the draft. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 4 July 2026 The platform has consistently managed volume over $1 billion daily since the soccer tournament began on June 11. — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 4 July 2026 None of the competitors ate all 20 turkey dogs, but winner Miguel Vasquez, of Rancho Cordova, managed 16 and a half. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for manage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for manage

Verb

About 55% of injuries happen to people actively handling fireworks, and nearly a quarter of the injuries are to bystanders.

— Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Key indicators include how teams handle uncertainty, genuinely challenge each other, learn from failures, and base decisions on current realities.

— Tracy Lawrence, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of handle

Verb

While older children can use sparklers, they should be supervised, Heckman said.

— Amen Galinato, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
Between there, and running upstairs to supervise fittings of his monumentally sculptural work with his stylist Tallulah Harlech, the designer caught a rare moment to sit and talk.

— Sarah Mower, Vogue, 3 July 2026

Definition of supervise

Verb

Across Connecticut, families coping with PTSD, chronic pain, depression and treatment-resistant mental health conditions are looking for therapies that offer hope when conventional approaches have fallen short.

— John R. Gordon, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026
Ecuador struggled to cope, with Piero Hincapie’s red card for covering his mouth while speaking to Santiago Gimenez bringing the curtains down on a disappointing tournament.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of cope

Verb

Prosecutors detailed at least four games in which the defendants are alleged to have schemed to have Beasley manipulate individual game stats for the benefit of gamblers.

— Chloe Atkins, NBC news, 1 July 2026
Among the schemes cited by officials was ATM jackpotting, a technically sophisticated form of theft in which criminals manipulate ATMs through malware, network intrusion or physical tampering to trigger unauthorized cash withdrawals.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026

Definition of manipulate

Verb

The judge denied Fischer’s request to appoint and fund a special master to oversee the privilege screen but allowed defense attorneys to review the records themselves instead of prosecutors.

— Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
The first three times were under Socialist Party Prime Minister Felipe González starting in 1986, but conservative leader José Maria Aznar’s government also oversaw two such measures in the 2000s.

— Suman Naishadham, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of oversee

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 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of manage

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