treat

1 to behave toward in a stated way <she tries to treat all of her students fairly and equally, regardless of her personal feelings toward them> Synonyms act (toward), be (to), deal (with), handle, serve, use Related Words consider, esteem, rate, reckon, regard, view; engage (with), react (to), respond (to) Phrases do by

2 to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently <school officials treated the vandalism of the students' artwork as a very serious matter> Synonyms address, contend (with), cope (with), field, grapple (with), hack, manage, maneuver, manipulate, negotiate, play, swing, take, handleRelated Words engineer, finesse, jockey; bring off, carry off, carry out, get off, pull; command, direct, guide, steer; control, micromanage, regulate, run; react (to), respond (to)Near Antonyms botch, bungle, foozle, fumble, goof (up), louse up, mess (up), mishandle, muff, scamp

3 to exchange viewpoints or seek advice for the purpose of finding a solution to a problem <I will treat with my lawyer and let you know what we decide> Synonyms advise, confab, confabulate, consult, counsel, parley, powwow, conferRelated Words argue, bandy, bat (around), chew over, debate, deliberate, discuss, dispute, hash (over), kick around, moot, palaver, talk, talk over, ventilate; rehash; coach, guide, tutor; recommend, suggest; direct, refer (to)

4 to give medical treatment to <a nurse treating a patient> Synonyms doctorRelated Words cure, heal, mend, rehabilitate, remedy; attend, care (for), dose, drug, hospitalize, minister (to), nurse