hand-to-hand

1 of 2

adjective

: involving physical contact or close enough range for physical contact
hand-to-hand fighting

hand to hand

2 of 2

adverb

: at very close range

Examples of hand-to-hand in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
That includes in 2020 when hand-to-hand fighting between the two sides resulted in the deaths of at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers in Aksai Chin-Ladakh in the western stretches of the border. Simone McCarthy, CNN, 22 Mar. 2024 Latu specializes in hand-to-hand combat, features a pro-ready arsenal of pass-rush moves and became the first Bruin to win the Lombardi Award (outstanding lineman) and Hendricks Award (best defensive end) last season. Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2024 Glass is not afraid of lingering on an open wound or dragging out hand-to-hand combat to the most gruesome conclusions. David Sims, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024 One study found that around 14 percent of the rhinovirus on an individual’s fingers was transferred to another individual via a doorknob or faucet, and half as much via hand-to-hand contact. Sabrina Sholts, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024 In each video, the suspect is immobilized and on the ground without hand-to-hand combat or the use of a firearm. Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 12 Mar. 2024 John has some solid brawls with the Covenant, including one hand-to-hand knife battle with an Elite. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 Fights also include hand-to-hand combat, weaponry and sorcery. Common Sense Media, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2024 Secondly, these games offer so much more than hand-to-hand martial arts action. Gene Park, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2024
Adverb
Drones carrying the Hezbollah and Lebanese flags fluttered above as the paramilitaries drilled below, firing explosives at targets, fighting hand to hand and simulating cross-border attacks on mock Israeli outposts. Sarah Dadouch, Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2024 Finally, 38 hours after the collapse, the rescuers took the twins from Ibrahim and passed them hand to hand down the rubble. Safak Timur Emin Ozmen, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2024 This interactive 90-minute show includes human pyramids, dish spinning, stick balance, contortion, chair balance, unicycling, juggling, hand to hand balance, pole acts, hoop diving, as well as comedy and more. Staff Report, Chicago Tribune, 25 Jan. 2024 Cannonballs aside, combat — well-staged and performed, in the tradition of martial arts movies — is almost entirely hand to hand (or sword to sword). Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2023 The county decided to delay implementation while businesses were already grappling with how to stay open and keep employees safe, and there were questions about whether passing reusable bags from hand to hand could spur the spread of the coronavirus. Kaitlin Durbin, cleveland, 5 Jan. 2022 It’s forged with the intention of being passed from hand to hand, taken as plunder, given as a gift or handed down to heirs. David M. Perry and Matthew Gabriele, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Nov. 2021 Two people, hand to hand. Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 15 Nov. 2021 Voter registration forms weaved from hand to hand. Dallas News, 3 Oct. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hand-to-hand.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1833, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hand-to-hand was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near hand-to-hand

hand-tight

hand-to-hand

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 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hand-to-hand

adjective
ˌhan-tə-ˈhand
: involving physical contact
hand-to-hand combat

More from Merriam-Webster on hand-to-hand

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