Dealt with turn? Very abandoned and gripping (8)

I believe the answer is:

answered

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'dealt with' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to thinking as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for answered that I've seen before include "Sawn reed (anag.)" , "Responded to a question" , "Fulfilled" , "Returned" , "was sufficient" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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