on the one hand
idiom
variants
or on one hand
—used to introduce a statement that is followed by another contrasting statement which is typically introduced with on the other hand
On the one hand, I think the price is fair, but on the other hand, I really can't afford to spend that much money.
On one hand, there is the historical, real person—George Washington the President—but on the other hand, there is the legendary person—George Washington the cherry-tree chopper.—
Anthony Hollingsworth
Anthony HollingsworthExamples of on the one hand in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That’s tougher to pin down, since Joe, on the one hand, is the character we’re asked to identify with, but Phoenix plays him as a shambolic screw-up, earnest and benign but basically a walking mess.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 May 2025
Guns, on the one hand, make violent crime much more deadly, but at the same time, can also be used for self-defense against crime.
—Jens Ludwig, Time, 15 May 2025
Sure, there are the early wakeups, the diaper blowouts and the tantrums on the one hand.
—Ruthie Ackerman, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
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The travel-friendly 8-ounce Go (9/10 WIRED Recommends) is, on the one hand, just a slightly smaller AeroPress.
—Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the one hand
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Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 May 2025
Guns, on the one hand, make violent crime much more deadly, but at the same time, can also be used for self-defense against crime.
—Jens Ludwig, Time, 15 May 2025
Sure, there are the early wakeups, the diaper blowouts and the tantrums on the one hand.
—Ruthie Ackerman, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
Best for Frequent Fliers Photograph: AeroPress AeroPress Go Portable Coffee Maker
$48 at Amazon
$50 at Walmart
$50 at REI
The travel-friendly 8-ounce Go (9/10 WIRED Recommends) is, on the one hand, just a slightly smaller AeroPress.
—Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the one hand
Cite this Entry
“On the one hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20one%20hand. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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