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
Wheeled robots handled industrial workflows such as grocery picking, container movement, and packing.
—
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Feb. 2026
The investigation into Bezalel Zini was handled by Israeli police instead of the Shin Bet because of the relationship between the two men.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
Since the change in September, what used to be handled online is now moving to in-person hearings.
—Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
The purchase list is handled by the Public Works Department on behalf of all city departments, including public works, utilities, land management, parks and recreation, neighborhood services, building maintenance and the police department.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
The film’s director of photography is Khizer Idrees (Manto, Circus of Life), while Joyland editor Saim Sadiq also handled editing on Lali.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
Use today to get anything outstanding handled before Universal stars sink for seven days.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 4 Feb. 2026
Domestic sales are being handled by Anton, Anonymous Content and WME Independent.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2026
An entire population can be handled.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Feb. 2026
The investigation into Bezalel Zini was handled by Israeli police instead of the Shin Bet because of the relationship between the two men.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
Since the change in September, what used to be handled online is now moving to in-person hearings.
—Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
The purchase list is handled by the Public Works Department on behalf of all city departments, including public works, utilities, land management, parks and recreation, neighborhood services, building maintenance and the police department.
—Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
The film’s director of photography is Khizer Idrees (Manto, Circus of Life), while Joyland editor Saim Sadiq also handled editing on Lali.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 4 Feb. 2026
Use today to get anything outstanding handled before Universal stars sink for seven days.
—Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 4 Feb. 2026
Domestic sales are being handled by Anton, Anonymous Content and WME Independent.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2026
An entire population can be handled.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handled
Verb
-
Wickham, who welcomes Mottley’s commitment to electoral reform, said there is an issue with electoral voter lists throughout the region that needs to be addressed.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Van Der Beek also addressed the matter of residuals amid the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After his injuries are treated, deputies intend to book the man in jail on suspicion of homicide, the agency said.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Yet, investors largely treated that adjustment as backward-looking.—
Benzinga,
Freep.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
These aircraft are operated by the United States in Japan, the US Navy carrier groups, and the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The 65,000-square-foot space will be operated by AEG Presents and is expected to open next year.—
Travis Webb,
Austin American Statesman,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The court filings have managed to make a public spectacle out of the private communications of Taylor Swift, Matt Damon, Sony Motion Picture Group CEO Tom Rothman, WME agent Warren Zavala — among others.—
Rebecca Keegan,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
-
To date, astronomers have managed to detect about 300 such mergers via their associated crescendos of gravitational waves.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
County Supervisor Janet Nguyen said Do’s disbarment serves to show the public that government corruption will not be tolerated.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Its approval came after a 12-month safety study that found the drug had no serious side effects and was both safe and well tolerated.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Each exercise session was supervised and followed a clear structure, Muotri says.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
11 Feb. 2026
-
All four officers were members of the Defense Tactics Unit at the State Police Academy, and would have supervised and/or interacted with Delgado-Garcia during his training.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Last year, many were convinced American politics would be destabilized by videos manipulated by artificial intelligence, or lulled into a post-truth stupor by AI slop.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
-
What’s interesting is the NBA has moved away from some events that either have become stale or manipulated, such as the skills competition giving way at next week’s All-Star Weekend.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After earning his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees, Geeslin served as superintendent there until retiring in 2025.—
Claire Rafford,
IndyStar,
9 Feb. 2026
-
His father, Gary Kubiak, served as head coach for the Houston Texans from 2006 to 2013 and the Denver Broncos from 2015 to 2016, while his younger brother, Klay, is the offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers.—
Matt Moret,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handled. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
