deal with

present singular third person deals with · participle present dealing with · participle past dealt with · past dealt with

1. transitiveTo handle verbally or in some form of artistic expression; to address or discuss as a subject.

   This book deals with incest.

   1 more example

   With the return to monthly publication it is our intention to extend the variety of subjects dealt with, and it will also be possible to attain greater topicality.

   1950 January, “Monthly Publication Resumed”, in Railway Magazine, page 1

   Synonyms: address, cover, handle, plough, treat, regard

2. transitiveTo take action with respect to (someone or something).

   The treasurer deals with financial matters.

   4 more examples

   The teacher knew how to deal with these lazy students.

   British Railways are beginning to reap the advantages of electronics applied to accounting. At Swindon Works, a computor, the first of its type to be used anywhere in the world, was installed recently to deal with the pay of some 10,000 employees.

   1957 November 28, “Electronics in Railway Accountancy”, in Railway Magazine, page 746

   Work on anti-frost precautions on diesel locomotives is to be speeded up to ensure that most if not all locomotives have been dealt with before the winter sets in.

   1964 September, “Motive Power Miscellany: BR Workshops”, in Modern Railways, page 220

   It is therefore dealing with pollution in two ways—suppression and mitigation.

   2013 August 10, “Can China clean up fast enough?”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8848

   Synonyms: engage, handle, take on, work

3. transitiveTo consider, as an example.

   Let us deal with the case of China.

   Synonyms: consider, look at, take

4. transitiveTo confront or overcome any difficulties presented by.

   We had to deal with having just a gallon of gas.

   2 more examples

   She's dealing with a lot of personal problems right now.

   Thankfully he'd dealt with such issues before, so he had all the necessary experience.

   Synonyms: come to terms with, contend with, cope with, get by with, grapple with, make do with, make out with, manage with

5. transitiveTo be in charge of, act on, or dispose of.

   I can deal with this crew of workers.

   Synonyms: care for, handle, look after, manage, take care of

6. transitiveTo behave in a certain way towards.

   He deals fairly with his employees.

   1 more example

   And I will set my ielousie against thee, and they shall deale furiously with thee: they shall take away thy nose and thine eares, and thy remnant shall fall by the sword: they shall take thy sonnes and thy daughters, and thy residue shal be deuoured by the fire.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Ezekiel 23:25

   Synonyms: interact with