single-handedly

adverb

Definition of single-handedlynext
as in independently
without aid or support the team's star slugger hit three home runs, effectively winning the game single-handedly

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of single-handedly Even as President, Roosevelt did not single-handedly have the power to defy the Neutrality Acts or to upend the nation’s restrictive immigration laws. — Beverly Gage, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026 That series single-handedly brought the reality show back from the regular-person doldrums, infusing the whodunit murder-mystery reality show with Housewives and reality TV gamers and one pilot named Pete to make the whole show sing. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026 The responsibility has single-handedly become one of the most meaningful parts of his life. — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2026 Teen dramas are arguably single-handedly holding society together every summer. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 20 Aug. 2026 In about a quarter of them, 62 cases, soldiers single-handedly stopped people suspected of a crime, often for things like shoplifting or jumping turnstiles to avoid paying subway fare. — Brad Heath, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026 Indeed, between his bat and his glove, Tatis almost single-handedly snapped the surging Mets’ four-game winning streak. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026 To Jones’ point, Uwazurike single-handedly blew up one run-sweep to Harvey in a 9-on-7 period, arriving in the backfield the near second Harvey even touched the ball. — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 5 Aug. 2026 Silky Pants Inspired by Oprah Winfrey Oprah Winfrey is single-handedly making cargo pants cool again. — Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for single-handedly
  1. independently
  2. alone
  3. separately
  4. individually
  5. solely
Adverb
  • The key test was performed independently on two nominally identical devices, one at EPFL and one at the Weizmann Institute, using separate experimental setups.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Peak and Pace now has a team of nine contractors who lead its events almost completely independently from its founder.
    — Megan Sauer, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of independently
Adverb
  • Amazon, Meta, Alphabet, and Microsoft alone invested a staggering $400 billion in 2025 – and that was just on data centers.
    — Yerbol Orynbayev, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Some novelty bloody bath mat products function alone in place of other bathmats, while others are placed on top of proper bath mats for safe usage.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of alone
Adverb
  • The military agreement was announced separately from the eight other summit deliverables listed by China’s Foreign Ministry.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Reuters has separately reported that the administration is seeking a larger role in elections, which are primarily administered by states and localities.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of separately
Adverb
  • And even though most people are individually unlikely to see a major flood — the odds remain elevated as the winter months draw closer.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2026
  • There is only the slow accumulation of small deferrals, each one individually rational, until the organization is carrying a liability that no single person can see in full.
    — Jeremy Bradley-Silverio Donato, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of individually
Adverb
  • The purpose is solely education, along with recruiting new watchmakers for an industry that is perpetually short on skilled craftspeople.
    — Robert Frank, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Employers can no longer rely solely on external hiring to meet evolving talent needs.
    — Priya Krishnan, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of solely

Browse Nearby Words

single-handed
single-handedly
single-minded
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Single-handedly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/single-handedly. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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