1
as in addressed
to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently
as host of a live TV talk show, she must handle any situation that comes up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in treated
to behave toward in a stated way
handles all requests professionally, even when customers are rude
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in operated
to control the mechanical operation of
learned how to handle basic woodworking power tools
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in managed
to look after and make decisions about
she takes care of the flower beds, and he handles all the lawn care
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in tolerated
to put up with (something painful or difficult)
I can't handle much more of this foul weather
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in supervised
to be in charge of
I'll be handling the team's workouts while the leader is on vacation
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 handled
The Steelers are coming off a 27-20 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, a team that handled the Chargers with relative ease, 38-24, in Week 7.
—
Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025
The interiors are handled with more finesse.
—Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
In related news, MCI’s security is contracted and not handled through the Transportation Security Administration, so staff have continued to be paid and operations have remained normal, Overstreet said.
—Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2025
The filings also note that previous issues with faculty and staff were handled differently.
—Angele Latham, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Nov. 2025
The formation of The Vision was a big deal, but that quickly grew stale, while the complaints about how John Cena's final year in WWE has been handled before his retirement are plentiful.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
The Scott County Attorney’s Office, which handled the case, asked for the maximum 18-year sentence.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2025
Those remains are being handled in coordination with the National Museum of Ireland.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Some districts become newly eligible for funding each year or have new staff who haven’t handled the program before.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025
The interiors are handled with more finesse.
—Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
In related news, MCI’s security is contracted and not handled through the Transportation Security Administration, so staff have continued to be paid and operations have remained normal, Overstreet said.
—Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2025
The filings also note that previous issues with faculty and staff were handled differently.
—Angele Latham, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Nov. 2025
The formation of The Vision was a big deal, but that quickly grew stale, while the complaints about how John Cena's final year in WWE has been handled before his retirement are plentiful.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
The Scott County Attorney’s Office, which handled the case, asked for the maximum 18-year sentence.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2025
Those remains are being handled in coordination with the National Museum of Ireland.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Some districts become newly eligible for funding each year or have new staff who haven’t handled the program before.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handled
Verb
-
Samsung addressed these issues early in development by redesigning the sensor structure.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Earlier this week, Risch spoke with Boise’s KIVI-TV Channel 6, and briefly addressed the matter.—
Kevin Fixler
January 10,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Noem said the officer involved was struck by the vehicle and transported to a hospital, where he was treated and later released.—
Stepheny Price , Alexandra Koch , Bill Melugin,
FOXNews.com,
8 Jan. 2026
-
All three workers were taken to Wheeling Hospital to be treated for their injuries.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Unlike more public figures of the regime, Martín operated largely behind the scenes, embodying the financial-intelligence nexus that helped sustain the regime amid sanctions and economic collapse.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Roland Busch, President and CEO of Siemens AG, described the effort as a shift in how physical systems are designed and operated.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Even amid some clunky exposition, Welcome to Derry has at least managed to offer compelling horror set pieces to keep heart rates up.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
-
In Week 5, Matthew Stafford passed for 389 yards and three touchdowns, but the Rams converted on only four of 10 third downs, and after taking a 17-7 lead into halftime, managed only nine points in the final two quarters and overtime.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In clinical trials, maca root has been described as safe and generally well-tolerated.—
Ashley Abramson,
Health,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Let this be a warning that no attack on the exercise of religion — regardless of faith — will be tolerated in the Western District of Kentucky.—
Lillian Metzmeier,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
One group of suits is being supervised by Kuhl.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Laurie Orlando, who has supervised talent recruitment and strategy at CBS News for nearly a decade, is leaving the Paramount Skydance operation — the latest of the news division’s senior executives to exit as the parent company overhauls its operations under an iconoclastic new editor in chief.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Freedom from fear mattered because frightened societies are easily manipulated.—
Philip Martin,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
-
In some cases, CBS News ran images through AI detection tools, which can be inconsistent or inaccurate but can still help flag possibly manipulated content.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Miami's Mario Cristobal served several roles at Alabama from assistant head coach to recruiting coordinator while being part of the 2015 championship that also included Lanning as a grad assistant.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Warren arrived at Boise State in 2022 and spent four seasons with the Broncos, having previously served as the head coach of the Big Sky’s Southern Utah for six seasons.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handled. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share