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
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
Hubbarth handled it pretty well, asking a couple of questions on the issues and producing a little news.
—
Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Caliendo handled the rest of the game, allowing no quarterback pressures on 32 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2025
Less than two days before their deaths, the police received a call reporting threats of murder and suicide at the campsite, raising questions about how the earlier call was handled.
—Eva Wen, jsonline.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Parents can decide in advance how candy will be handled, such as allowing kids to enjoy sweets on Halloween night and then setting limits afterward.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Viewers are dropped into the aftermath of an unnamed personal conflict and must work out over the course of the runtime the stakes of the situation, a highwire act handled deftly by the actors whose tender performances provide the emotional impact of the film’s shattering final sequence.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
Grohl handled the drum duties himself on the album, and the band hired Josh Freese for the tour.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Momeni handled the cultivation of the bacteria, while Wang used the bacterial cultures for battery cathode leaching.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2025
Penzone was a former public information officer for the Phoenix Police Department who handled forums and meetings with the community board with aplomb.
—Richard Ruelas, AZCentral.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Caliendo handled the rest of the game, allowing no quarterback pressures on 32 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
—Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2025
Less than two days before their deaths, the police received a call reporting threats of murder and suicide at the campsite, raising questions about how the earlier call was handled.
—Eva Wen, jsonline.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Parents can decide in advance how candy will be handled, such as allowing kids to enjoy sweets on Halloween night and then setting limits afterward.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Viewers are dropped into the aftermath of an unnamed personal conflict and must work out over the course of the runtime the stakes of the situation, a highwire act handled deftly by the actors whose tender performances provide the emotional impact of the film’s shattering final sequence.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
Grohl handled the drum duties himself on the album, and the band hired Josh Freese for the tour.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Momeni handled the cultivation of the bacteria, while Wang used the bacterial cultures for battery cathode leaching.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2025
Penzone was a former public information officer for the Phoenix Police Department who handled forums and meetings with the community board with aplomb.
—Richard Ruelas, AZCentral.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handled
Verb
-
Virginia Democrats’ entrance in the nationwide redistricting fight with Republicans has also been an issue that both Earle-Sears and Spanberger have addressed as the election nears.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Oct. 2025
-
There were two major objections that were raised to the scenario of a rotating Earth, and neither one was successfully addressed until the Renaissance.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Some materials and surfaces should not be treated with WD-40.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Oct. 2025
-
On Fridays patrons can enjoy light bites while a DJ plays a mix of Caribbean sounds; Saturdays they are treated to live music, and Sundays offer wellness with morning yoga, an afternoon drum class and evening jazz.—
Raisa Habersham,
Miami Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But this isn’t the end for the beloved barbecue business, which never had a brick-and-mortar and has largely operated as a caterer for birthday parties, weddings and other events.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The chainsaw is battery-operated and is sold either individually as a bare tool that includes a chain and bar cover and blade wrench, or as a kit that includes two M18 batteries, an M18 battery charger, a chain and bar cover and a blade wrench, according to the notice.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Carter hadn’t managed to build a profitable business with his attempt to recapture Vanity Fair’s old spirit (and luxury advertising base).—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Larson was one of the four drivers including Hamlin, Chase Briscoe and William Byron in contention for the title, but Larson managed to finish in third position, ahead of the other three contenders to claim the championship.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Jonah also organized an event in which 600 students formed a giant heart on the school field, an image in direct contrast to the swastika, sending a message that hate will not be tolerated.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Violent behavior towards officers or others, or destructive behavior towards local businesses, will absolutely not be tolerated.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Hoban supervised construction of the porticoes on the north and south sides of the building that Latrobe originally designed in 1807.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Russia’s strategic nuclear forces carried out a readiness test supervised by the country’s President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, the Kremlin said.—
Anna Chernova,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Paper co-author Stephanie Rutter of La Trobe emphasized in a statement that the findings highlight the importance of cell-to-cell communication to maintain health—and how these processes can be manipulated by viruses.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Speaking on Fortune’s Leadership Next podcast with hosts Diane Brady and Kristin Stoller, Weeks revealed how Jobs manipulated him into taking on what seemed like an impossible task.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Alex Thomas has served as the Washington Correspondent for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette since November 2022.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The clips allegedly showed Hanson urinating on food, spitting into containers, stomping on food items and rubbing them on his body before they were served to customers, per court documents and reporting by KCTV5, KMBC 9 and The Kansas City Star.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Handled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handled. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share