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
Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Lots of shootouts, hand-to-hand fights and chases as Mason desperately tries to get Jessie to safety and avoid getting killed himself.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 28 Jan. 2026
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
One copy, then two, then many were passed hand to hand.
—Literary Hub, 3 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hand-to-hand
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Adjective
Notwithstanding a temperament ill-suited for hand-to-hand combat, Jefferson was unable to restrain himself from pushing his grand recipe for public happiness.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Lots of shootouts, hand-to-hand fights and chases as Mason desperately tries to get Jessie to safety and avoid getting killed himself.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 28 Jan. 2026
Adverb
Mendoza’s strikes of some 30 yards, hand to hand, netted two completions near the sideline and a seam shot catch that was later jarred loose.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
One copy, then two, then many were passed hand to hand.
—Literary Hub, 3 Dec. 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 31 Jan. 2026.
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