handed

adjective

hand·​ed ˈhan-dəd How to pronounce handed (audio)
1
: having a hand or hands especially of a specified kind or number
usually used in combination
a large-handed man
2
: using a specified hand or number of hands
used in combination
right-handed
a one-handed catch

Examples of handed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In almost every public agency in Connecticut, a board member would know better than to intervene in such a heavy handed, slightly odd manner. Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 2024 Governments and regions are taking a piecemeal approach, with the E.U. and China moving the fastest toward heavier handed regulation. Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2023 Erdogan’s methods thus far have included heavy handed state intervention in the market, amid ultra-low interest rates and very high inflation. Mimansa Verma, Quartz, 30 May 2023 The prosecutor said Cruz, who was right handed, grabbed the wheel lock with his left hand. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2023 If imposed, the sentence would be more than twice as long as any handed down so far in the approximately 450 cases related to the January 6, 2021, assault that have reached sentencing. Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2023 Prosecutors charged some protesters with domestic terrorism, a move that some legal experts described as heavy handed, given that those charges, under state guidelines, can carry a prison sentence of up to 35 years. Joseph Goldstein, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2023 The Astros have an electric bullpen led by closer Ryan Pressly and augmented by rising stars Bryan Abreu and Hunter Brown, though as presently constructed, Houston's bullpen is entirely right handed. Michael Shapiro, Chron, 2 Feb. 2023 The upside is that the right-handed hitter has plus power and has a chance to be a 30-plus homer hitter. 88. Jesse Yomtov, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'handed.' 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

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of handed was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near handed

Cite this Entry

“Handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/handed. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

handed

adjective
hand·​ed ˈhan-dəd How to pronounce handed (audio)
: having or using such or so many hands
a right-handed person
handedness noun

Medical Definition

handed

adjective
hand·​ed ˈhan-dəd How to pronounce handed (audio)
1
: having a hand or hands especially of a specified kind or number
usually used in combination
a large-handed man
2
: using a specified hand or number of hands
used in combination
right-handed
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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