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
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2
as in treated
to behave toward in a stated way handles all requests professionally, even when customers are rude
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3
as in operated
to control the mechanical operation of learned how to handle basic woodworking power tools
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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
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5
as in tolerated
to put up with (something painful or difficult) I can't handle much more of this foul weather
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6
as in supervised
to be in charge of I'll be handling the team's workouts while the leader is on vacation
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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 Trump fired Bondi on April 2, reportedly after being unhappy with the way the attorney general had handled issues relating to the Epstein files. —
Dan Mangan, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026 On arrival, guests are paired with a personal local guide–think of it as the hinterland’s answer to a butler—on hand to arrange everything from restaurant bookings to last-minute requests, typically handled with a quick text. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026 Unlike earlier small robots that mainly handled simple movements and basic camera tasks, SamuRoid is much smarter. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026 The idea for Revise emerged from Sapek’s observations of how documents are handled in professional settings, where workflows can involve multiple versions, inefficient copying and pasting between chat apps and word processors, and limited visibility into revision history. —Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026 There was one other controller on duty that night, who served as the controller-in-charge and also handled planes on the ground. —Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026 Sosa and Wroblewski handled negotiations for Roosevelt Film Lab; Chapman represented Blue Finch. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026 Sugano, who pitched poorly in Colorado’s 7-1 home loss to the Dodgers last Friday, handled the Padres for 5 2/3 innings. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026 The incident management and incident response is primarily handled by the teens. —Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
Dan Mangan, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026 On arrival, guests are paired with a personal local guide–think of it as the hinterland’s answer to a butler—on hand to arrange everything from restaurant bookings to last-minute requests, typically handled with a quick text. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026 Unlike earlier small robots that mainly handled simple movements and basic camera tasks, SamuRoid is much smarter. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 2026 The idea for Revise emerged from Sapek’s observations of how documents are handled in professional settings, where workflows can involve multiple versions, inefficient copying and pasting between chat apps and word processors, and limited visibility into revision history. —Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026 There was one other controller on duty that night, who served as the controller-in-charge and also handled planes on the ground. —Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026 Sosa and Wroblewski handled negotiations for Roosevelt Film Lab; Chapman represented Blue Finch. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026 Sugano, who pitched poorly in Colorado’s 7-1 home loss to the Dodgers last Friday, handled the Padres for 5 2/3 innings. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026 The incident management and incident response is primarily handled by the teens. —Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handled
Verb
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Scott Dochterman grades the pick Baltimore addressed its porous pass rush (30 sacks last year) by signing Trey Hendrickson this offseason.— Matt Moret, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
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In a message addressed to residents of southern Lebanon, IDF Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee warned that Israeli troops continued to maintain their positions in southern Lebanon amid the current truce, which is set to expire Sunday.— Sean Nevin, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Initially treated as a death by natural causes, the case was later ruled a homicide after an undertaker noticed a knife wound on the back of her neck.— Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
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Teel, who suffered a right hamstring strain March 10 playing for Italy in the World Baseball Classic, is being treated with caution, White Sox general manager Chris Getz said.— Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The last time three carriers operated in the CENTCOM area of responsibility was back in 2003.— Sarah Dean, NBC news, 25 Apr. 2026
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The facility will be operated by the for-profit prison company GEO Group, which has held a contract with ICE for the site and two other Central Valley detention centers since 2019.— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 25 Apr. 2026
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Vivian explained that competition was so fierce, and budgets managed so tightly, that no producer could afford to extend filming by even a day.— Chang Che, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026
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For a team that managed only three runs in the entire series against the Yankees and that hasn’t overcome more than a one-run deficit in a win, the early 4-0 hole felt insurmountable.— Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But this type of behavior can't be tolerated.— Jim DeFede, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
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Employees who may not have tolerated such cuts in the past are now coping with them, according to a January survey from MyPerfectResume.— Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Along with overseeing Sacramento economic development, Jasso also supervised animal care services, code enforcement and the city’s cultural services.— Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 20 Apr. 2026
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Last week, North Korea said leader Kim Jong Un supervised missile tests from the country’s destroyer.— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The price of Celsius crypto would go up, but it was being manipulated by those in charge, all as a way to get ordinary citizens to invest.— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
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Figures show crime was already on the decline before, although those figures are being investigated after claims arose against local police that they may have been manipulated.— Gary Fields, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Hawks guard who also served as National Basketball Players Association president from 2021-2025, didn’t believe his actions warranted a technical foul.— Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026
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Bertman’s judgment of me as a 13-year-old was typical of a maturity well beyond of his years and served him well his entire life.— George Solomon, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/handled. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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