manage

[man-ij]

verb (used with object)

managed, managing 

1. to bring about or succeed in accomplishing, sometimes despite difficulty or hardship.

   She managed to see the governor. How does she manage it on such a small income?

   Synonyms: contrive, arrange

2. to take charge or care of.

   to manage my investments.

3. to dominate or influence (a person) by tact, flattery, or artifice.

   He manages the child with exemplary skill.

4. to handle, direct, govern, or control in action or use.

   She managed the boat efficiently.

   Synonyms: engineer, regulate, conduct, guide

5. to wield (a weapon, tool, etc.).

   Synonyms: manipulate, handle

6. to handle or train (a horse) in the exercises of the manège.

7. Archaic.,  to use sparingly or with judgment, as health or money; husband.

verb (used without object)

managed, managing 

1. to conduct business, commercial affairs, etc.; be in charge.

   Who will manage while the boss is away?

2. to continue to function, progress, or succeed, usually despite hardship or difficulty; get along.

   How will he manage with his wife gone? It was a rough time, but we managed.

manage

/ ˈmænɪdʒ /

verb

1. (also intr) to be in charge (of); administer

   to manage one's affairs

   to manage a shop

2. to succeed in being able (to do something) despite obstacles; contrive

   did you manage to go to sleep?

3. to have room, time, etc, for

   can you manage dinner tomorrow?

4. to exercise control or domination over, often in a tactful or guileful manner

5. (intr) to contrive to carry on despite difficulties, esp financial ones

   he managed quite well on very little money

6. to wield or handle (a weapon)

7. rare,  to be frugal in the use of

noun

1. an archaic word for manège

Other Word Forms

• overmanage verb (used with object)
• quasi-managed adjective
• self-managing adjective
• undermanage verb (used with object)
• undermanaged adjective
• unmanaged adjective
• well-managed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of manage¹

First recorded in 1555–65; earlier manege, from Italian maneggiare “to handle, train (horses),” derivative of mano, from Latin manus “hand”

Word History and Origins

Origin of manage¹

C16: from Italian maneggiare to control, train (esp horses), ultimately from Latin manus hand

Synonym Study

See rule.

Example Sentences

Expectations are being managed to engineer an orderly deflation rather than a violent crash that could seriously harm AI’s credibility for years to come.

Read more on MarketWatch

Crucially, it said it believes that the carbon dioxide in the reservoir can be managed.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Nichole Rice, who manages the Gardenia, takes dinner and drink orders until the show starts at 8:30 p.m.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The episodes were filmed in 2024, and a lot can happen in that time span — and sure enough, Megan began a new relationship, had a baby and managed to hide it all from the internet.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He managed his distress by doubling down on his craft.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• administer 
• conduct 
• dominate 
• govern 
• guide 
• handle 
• maintain 
• operate 
• oversee 
• regulate 
• run 
• supervise 
• take care of 
• take over 
• train 
• use