handling
noun
han·dling ˈhan(d)-liŋ 
ˈhan-dᵊl-iŋ
1
a
: the action of one that handles something
b
: a process by which something is handled in a commercial transaction
especially : the packaging and shipping of an object or material (as to a consumer)
2
: the manner in which something is treated (as in a musical, literary, or art work)
Synonyms
- administration
- care
- charge
- conduct
- control
- direction
- governance
- government
- guidance
- intendance
- management
- operation
- oversight
- presidency
- regulation
- running
- stewardship
- superintendence
- superintendency
- supervision
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
These items require careful handling. There are additional charges for shipping and handling. The car's handling was smooth.
Recent Examples on the Web But Picault broke the deadlock, earning another penalty kick, this time in a 1-on-3 situation, as Tommy McNamara was called for handling. 
Frank Dell'apa, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Sep. 2022 The media cried foul, criticizing Abbott’s rhetoric, as well as the Texas GOP for their handling of energy policy in the Lone Star state. Nikolas Lanum, Fox News, 12 Sep. 2022 Lopinto, in an interview, strongly defended his handling of the case. Gordon Russell, ProPublica, 12 Sep. 2022 One thing that is potentially quite explosive is this ongoing investigation of the Justice -- by the Justice Department of the former president and his handling of classified information. CBS News, 11 Sep. 2022 Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who lost the Democratic gubernatorial primary last month to Charlie Crist, on Thursday also blasted the DeSantis administration for its handling of the medical-marijuana program. Dara Kam, Sun Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2022 Wilkinson has faced criticism — particularly from a vocal portion of the club’s fanbase — for his handling of the Riley incident and an alleged attempt to silence Shim about her sexuality. oregonlive, 30 Aug. 2022 All of this has to weigh on Merrick Garland as the Attorney General considers whether to indict Mr. Trump for his handling of classified documents. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 28 Aug. 2022 Despite the lofty goals of broadening humankind’s off-world horizons, NASA has faced years of criticism for its handling of the SLS and Orion. Nadia Drake, Scientific American, 24 Aug. 2022 See More
Frank Dell'apa, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Sep. 2022 The media cried foul, criticizing Abbott’s rhetoric, as well as the Texas GOP for their handling of energy policy in the Lone Star state. Nikolas Lanum, Fox News, 12 Sep. 2022 Lopinto, in an interview, strongly defended his handling of the case. Gordon Russell, ProPublica, 12 Sep. 2022 One thing that is potentially quite explosive is this ongoing investigation of the Justice -- by the Justice Department of the former president and his handling of classified information. CBS News, 11 Sep. 2022 Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who lost the Democratic gubernatorial primary last month to Charlie Crist, on Thursday also blasted the DeSantis administration for its handling of the medical-marijuana program. Dara Kam, Sun Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2022 Wilkinson has faced criticism — particularly from a vocal portion of the club’s fanbase — for his handling of the Riley incident and an alleged attempt to silence Shim about her sexuality. oregonlive, 30 Aug. 2022 All of this has to weigh on Merrick Garland as the Attorney General considers whether to indict Mr. Trump for his handling of classified documents. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 28 Aug. 2022 Despite the lofty goals of broadening humankind’s off-world horizons, NASA has faced years of criticism for its handling of the SLS and Orion. Nadia Drake, Scientific American, 24 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing handling
handling 1 of 2
noun
as in management
the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something the handling of proper order in the courtroom is the job of the sergeant at arms Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- management
- control
- operation
- administration
- supervision
- stewardship
- oversight
- direction
- government
- governance
- running
- regulation
- presidency
- conduct
- charge
- guidance
- leadership
- care
- superintendence
- intendance
- custody
- superintendency
- logistics
- protection
- manipulation
- keeping
- agency
- engineering
- safekeeping
- generalship
- guardianship
- lap
- trust
- rulership
- ward
- tutelage
- aegis
- codirection
- coadministration
- machination
- comanagement
- egis
handling
2 of 2verb
1
as in managing
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
- managing
- addressing
- manipulating
- treating
- negotiating
- taking
- maneuvering
- playing
- fielding
- hacking
- controlling
- engineering
- swinging
- steering
- pulling
- regulating
- coping (with)
- finessing
- coming to grips with
- carrying out
- grappling (with)
- jockeying
- directing
- having a grip on
- guiding
- contending (with)
- carrying off
- getting off
- bringing off
- micromanaging
- commanding
- running
- reacting (to)
- responding (to)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- mishandling
- fumbling
- bungling
- botching
- messing (up)
- muffing
- goofing (up)
- scamping
- lousing up
- foozling
2
as in treating
to behave toward in a stated way handles all requests professionally, even when customers are rude Synonyms & Similar Words
- treating
- serving
- using
- regarding
- doing by
- viewing
- considering
- acting (toward)
- being (to)
- dealing (with)
- rating
- esteeming
- reckoning
- reacting (to)
- responding (to)
- engaging (with)
3
as in operating
to control the mechanical operation of learned how to handle basic woodworking power tools Synonyms & Similar Words
- operating
- using
- working
- manipulating
- controlling
- running
- driving
- steering
- maneuvering
- directing
- guiding
- wielding
- plying
- commanding
- piloting
4
as in supervising
to look after and make decisions about she takes care of the flower beds, and he handles all the lawn care Synonyms & Similar Words
- managing
- supervising
- overseeing
- operating
- controlling
- regulating
- conducting
- governing
- running
- administering
- directing
- keeping
- administrating
- guiding
- protecting
- steering
- superintending
- tending
- stewarding
- carrying on
- watching over
- leading
- safeguarding
- overlooking
- watching
- presiding (over)
- piloting
- guarding
- micromanaging
- minding
- stage-managing
- codirecting
- comanaging
- co-managing
- caring (for)
- co-directing
5
as in accepting
to put up with (something painful or difficult) I can't handle much more of this foul weather Synonyms & Similar Words
- accepting
- tolerating
- standing
- taking
- enduring
- sustaining
- absorbing
- bearing
- supporting
- swallowing
- stomaching
- hacking
- countenancing
- meeting
- sticking out
- standing for
- living with
- pocketing
- wearing
- sweating out
- brooking
- permitting
- biding
- abiding
- going
- suffering
- allowing
- respecting
- toughing it out
- lumping (it)
- acquiescing
- capitulating
- reconciling (to)
- yielding (to)
- submitting (to)
- consenting (to)
- assenting (to)
- agreeing (with or to)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rejecting
- declining
- dismissing
- refusing
- fighting
- avoiding
- combating
- opposing
- resisting
- combatting
- turning down
- repudiating
- contesting
- escaping
- missing
- evading
- dodging
- bypassing
- circumventing
- spurning
- eluding
- refraining (from)
- abstaining (from)
- forbearing
6
as in overseeing
to be in charge of I'll be handling the team's workouts while the leader is on vacation Synonyms & Similar Words
- supervising
- overseeing
- managing
- steering
- controlling
- commanding
- directing
- running
- superintending
- monitoring
- guiding
- ordering
- heading
- administering
- bossing
- quarterbacking
- watching over
- overlooking
- showing
- shepherding
- captaining
- riding herd on
- governing
- calling the shots (of)
- calling the tune (for)
- ruling
- reigning
- presiding (over)