Another Word for Manage: 20 Synonyms with Examples
To manage is to be in charge of something, to handle it, or to succeed in doing something difficult. Alternatives depend on which sense you mean.
As a verb: be in charge of
- run
- direct
- lead
- supervise
- oversee
- administer
- head
As a verb: handle or control
- handle
- control
- deal with
- cope with
- organise
- regulate
As a verb: succeed in doing
- succeed
- achieve
- accomplish
- pull off
- get by
- cope
- make do
Need a different word?Look up any word in the synonym finder →
How they differ
Synonyms share a meaning, not always a tone. Here is when to pick each of the main options.
- run
- Informal; is in charge of a business or event.
- supervise
- Watches over people or work to check it is done properly.
- administer
- Formal; manages the running of an organisation or process.
- handle
- Deals with a situation or task.
- cope with
- Deals with something difficult successfully.
- pull off
- Informal; succeeds in something difficult.
Example sentences
- run: Her family runs a small hotel by the sea.
- supervise: A qualified adult must supervise the swimmers.
- administer: The fund is administered by a board of trustees.
- handle: He handled the angry customer calmly.
- cope with: The hospital struggled to cope with the winter demand.
- pull off: Nobody thought they could pull off the event in a week.
Opposite of manage
- fail
- mismanage
- neglect
More from WordNet
Less common or more specialised words WordNet lists for other senses of “manage”. Check the meaning before you use one.
verb: deal, care, contend, grapple, superintend
WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Used under the WordNet licence.
Frequently asked questions
What is another word for “manage”?
The most useful alternatives are “run”, “direct”, “lead”, “supervise”, “oversee”. For the main sense (be in charge of), “run” is usually the closest swap.
What is the difference between “run” and “supervise”?
run: Informal; is in charge of a business or event. supervise: Watches over people or work to check it is done properly.
What is the opposite of “manage”?
Common antonyms are “fail”, “mismanage”, “neglect”.