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 Knights have had the upper hand in the past two meetings and will look to continue that trend.
—
Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
Stacey might have the upper hand now, but Gizelle seems to have a knack for being there when the boomerang inevitably swings back.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2025
And finally… A cardiologist sat down with CNN’s Clare Duffy to discuss where artificial intelligence might have the upper hand over doctors.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025
Last season, Summit got the upper hand with a 21-20 victory.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the upper hand
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Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
Stacey might have the upper hand now, but Gizelle seems to have a knack for being there when the boomerang inevitably swings back.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2025
And finally… A cardiologist sat down with CNN’s Clare Duffy to discuss where artificial intelligence might have the upper hand over doctors.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025
Last season, Summit got the upper hand with a 21-20 victory.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2025
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 23 Oct. 2025.
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