deal with

To take action about a person, problem, or task.

• I will deal with this problem.
• She dealt with all the complaints yesterday.
• Who deals with customer requests?

How to use it: deal with someone/something (Our manager deals with difficult customers.)

Similar words: handle, manage, attend to

Common phrases: deal with something, deal with complaints, deal with customers, deal with workers

To manage a difficult situation or the feelings it causes.

• He cannot deal with the stress.
• We dealt with the cold by wearing extra clothes.
• How do you deal with losing a close friend?

How to use it: deal with doing something (She finds it hard to deal with living alone.)

Similar words: cope with, manage

Common phrases: deal with stress, deal with loss, deal with something

To discuss a subject in a book, film, speech, or other work.

• This book deals with friendship.
• Her latest film dealt with life in a small town.
• Does the article deal with education?

How to use it: deal with a subject (The final chapter deals with climate change.)

Similar words: discuss, cover, address

Common phrases: deal with something, deal with history, deal with crime

To look closely at a particular case as an example.

• Let us deal with one example.
• We dealt with the case of a small village first.
• Before comparing countries, I will deal with the case of Japan.

How to use it: deal with the case of someone/something (Let us deal with the case of a family with two children.)

Similar words: consider, examine

Common phrases: deal with a case, deal with an example

To behave in a particular way towards someone.

• Always deal fairly with your staff.
• He dealt gently with the frightened child.
• They have dealt honestly with us for years.

How to use it: deal + adverb + with someone (She deals honestly with her customers.)

Similar words: treat

Common phrases: deal fairly with someone, deal kindly with someone