invisible hand

noun

: a hypothetical economic force that in a freely competitive market works for the benefit of all

Examples of invisible hand in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adam Smith’s invisible hand coordinated the investors, architects, builders, and workers spending years getting the property in great shape for me and all of my neighbors. —Edward Peter Stringham, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026

But now, there’s a new referendum drive to legalize recreational pot, and once again, the invisible hand of Ron DeSantis is cheerlessly throttling the life out of direct democracy. —Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026

In the modern Christmas spirit, the manipulative version of what the economist Adam Smith called the invisible hand of the market meets the human yearning for structured distraction. —Maria Balaska, Time, 20 Dec. 2025

Insofar as it is left to the invisible hand to arrange these matters, this scenario seems truly unavoidable. —Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for invisible hand

• ampersand
• beforehand
• behindhand
• bottomland
• contraband
• countermand
• dixieland
• fairyland
• fatherland
• firebrand
• hinterland
• motherland