ˈhan(d)-tə-ˈhand 
ˈhan-də-
: involving physical contact or close enough range for physical contact
hand-to-hand fighting
: at very close range
Examples of hand-to-hand in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025
The one extended hand-to-hand fight sequence, a showdown between a slight hacker and her much larger foe, is tense and engaging.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 27 Aug. 2025
Shelby Stewart, Essence, 4 Aug. 2025
As Nick begins the ceremony, the handmaids who have blades sewn into their robes surreptitiously remove them and past them, hand to hand, down the pew.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hand-to-hand
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Adjective
The weed making its way from hand-to-hand is potent.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025
The one extended hand-to-hand fight sequence, a showdown between a slight hacker and her much larger foe, is tense and engaging.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 27 Aug. 2025
Adverb
It is embedded in the pages of a magazine passed hand to hand, mother to daughter, generation to generation.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 4 Aug. 2025
As Nick begins the ceremony, the handmaids who have blades sewn into their robes surreptitiously remove them and past them, hand to hand, down the pew.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hand-to-hand
Cite this Entry
“Hand-to-hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hand-to-hand. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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