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
The government has since relied on aerial attacks to gain the upper hand in a widening conflict with Machar’s forces and other armed groups.
—
ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
The groups claimed that the deal stands to undercut domestic producers and displace demand for their offerings while giving American goods the upper hand.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 3 Mar. 2026
All countries seek to gain the upper hand through intelligence collection.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
Paramount has attempted numerous maneuvers to gain the upper hand.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the upper hand
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ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
The groups claimed that the deal stands to undercut domestic producers and displace demand for their offerings while giving American goods the upper hand.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 3 Mar. 2026
All countries seek to gain the upper hand through intelligence collection.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 26 Feb. 2026
Paramount has attempted numerous maneuvers to gain the upper hand.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 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 9 Mar. 2026.
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