the upper hand
noun
: the position of having power or being in control in a particular situation
He always has to have the upper hand.
—sometimes used figurativelyThe infection was gaining the upper hand and the patient's condition was deteriorating.
Examples of the upper hand in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These terms effectively give you a clue as to which party will likely have the upper hand in transactions.
—
Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 27 Apr. 2026
However, Johnson would end up with the upper hand by sharing the team high in points with Ava Stryker, who had two goals and an assist.
—Glae Thien, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
With immense profit dancing on the horizon as the world goes electric, shiny new technologies have the upper hand, whether everyone — or even anyone — likes or wants them.
—Jamie Lincoln Kitman, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026
But those moments that flirt with horror are less exciting than the constant switches in who has the upper hand.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the upper hand
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Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 27 Apr. 2026
However, Johnson would end up with the upper hand by sharing the team high in points with Ava Stryker, who had two goals and an assist.
—Glae Thien, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
With immense profit dancing on the horizon as the world goes electric, shiny new technologies have the upper hand, whether everyone — or even anyone — likes or wants them.
—Jamie Lincoln Kitman, Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2026
But those moments that flirt with horror are less exciting than the constant switches in who has the upper hand.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the upper hand
Cite this Entry
“The upper hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20upper%20hand. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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