Meaning & use
handled
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“handled” is a form of “handle”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Past tense and past participle of handle: dealt with or managed a task, problem or person.
Grammar: Takes an object: she handled the complaint calmly.
Patterns
- handled something well
- handled something badly
- handled by someone
She handled the angry customer with patience.
The crisis was handled quickly by the emergency team.
Who handled the booking for the trip?
verbtransitive
Touched, held or picked up with the hands.
Grammar: Takes an object: he handled the vase carefully.
Patterns
- handled something carefully
- handled with care
The museum staff handled the old manuscript with gloves.
He handled the puppy gently.
The package was handled roughly in transit.
verbtransitive
Controlled or operated a vehicle or animal, or dealt in goods as a business.
Grammar: Takes an object; often used of vehicles: the car handled well on wet roads.
Patterns
- handled well in something
- handled goods
The small boat handled well in rough water.
The warehouse handled thousands of parcels a day.
She handled the horse expertly.
Word forms
| base form | handle |
|---|---|
| third person singular | handles |
| -ing form | handling |
Common combinations
- handled well
- The situation was handled well by the team.
- handled badly
- The announcement was handled badly.
- handled with care
- The glasses were handled with great care.
- handled the pressure
- He handled the pressure better than anyone expected.
- expertly handled
- An expertly handled interview impressed the panel.
Synonyms and how they differ
- managed
- Managed stresses organizing or controlling something over time, while handled stresses dealing with a task as it comes.
- dealt with
- Dealt with is plainer and sounds a little more casual than handled.
- coped with
- Coped with implies the situation was difficult, but handled can be used for easy tasks too.
- touched
- Touched only means made contact, and handled implies using the hands to hold or move.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: handled or handed?
handled vs handed
Handed means passed something to someone, while handled means managed or touched it.
Practice
The manager ______ the complaint so well that the customer apologized.
Choose one answer.
Handled means dealt with successfully. Handed would need an object such as a letter, and handling is not the past tense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “handled”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.