hand 1 of 4

Definition of handnext
1
2
as in flank
a place, space, or direction away from or beyond a central point or line tall buildings rose on either hand nothing but wide open space on either hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in needle
an arrow-shaped piece on a dial or scale for registering information both hands of the clock pointed to 12

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
5
6
7
8
9
10
as in signature
a person's name written in their own handwriting often given to indicate awareness or consent the subpoena required a lawyer's hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

hand

2 of 4

verb (1)

1
2
as in to pass
to shift possession of (something) from one person to another the clerk handed her the receipt

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

hands

3 of 4

noun (2)

plural of hand

hands

4 of 4

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of hand
1
2
3

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hand
Noun
During his interview with The New York Times after his ouster, Pelley provided some context for his fiery statements directed at Bilton during that tumultuous all-hands meeting. Marlow Stern, Variety, 11 June 2026 Having experienced personal health challenges, Jacobs integrates yoga, meditation, and spiritual practices into his advocacy, believing that personal healing and healthcare reform go hand-in-hand. Gary Jacobs, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Verb
Golf's two-time Ryder Cup winning captain Luke Donald was handed the Order of the British Empire. ABC News, 12 June 2026 The progressive senator is working on legislation that would hand the public a direct ownership stake in AI companies by charging them a one-time 50% tax paid in stock, to sit in a sovereign wealth fund. Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 12 June 2026
Noun
About 30 relatives had gathered at the courthouse ahead of the hearing, holding hands and praying. Martín Adames, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026 Of course, as any Great British Bake-Off judge would tell you, the ultimate goal is a base that’s crisp all the way through, sturdy enough to lift straight off the plate with your hands. Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 June 2026
Verb
Mk2 is not a place that hands its screens to anyone. Tyler Chou, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026 At the end of the presentation, a woman hands the hitmaker a bouquet of flowers as the star waves to the crowd and dances. Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for hand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hand
Noun
  • On the drama side of guest actor, the category was nearly steady at 84, down three from 87, while guest drama actress saw the cycle’s sharpest guest decline, falling to 51 from 77.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 12 June 2026
  • Though Ohtani underwent surgery on the same knee in 2019, that was to address bipartite patella, on the other side of the knee.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • Republican political consultants are skeptical that Paxton’s place on the ballot sways the needle for Democrats.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 June 2026
  • Just how the court will thread that needle remains to be seen.
    Nina Totenberg, NPR, 9 June 2026
Noun
  • Mueller is among the former and current SpaceX employees who own equity in the company, which is set to go public on Friday in the biggest-ever IPO.
    Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 12 June 2026
  • The employee rejected his advances and reported it to supervisors, Golf Digest reported.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • Between the many ceasefires, extensions and delays, the handwriting is on the wall.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2026
  • The study also did not account for the participants' use of medications, which could potentially impact both handwriting and brain function.
    Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026
Noun
  • The goal of treatment is to get the caffeine out of your system while keeping your symptoms under control, and the approach depends on how far the caffeine has already moved through your body.
    Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
  • Turn into the skid - Turning into the skid can help the vehicle's tires realign to regain control.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • Multiple possession swings gave the Japanese some threats in the box, but the Samurai Blue couldn’t find the back of the net, leading to a 0-0 score at the break.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 June 2026
  • Angel Reese made sure Atlanta had enough possessions to make that run happen.
    Christopher Harris, CBS News, 15 June 2026
Noun
  • In emergency situations, dial 911 for immediate assistance.
    Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 9 June 2026
  • Leal says there are warning signs consumers should watch for when seeking immigration assistance online.
    Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 9 June 2026
Noun
  • Just hours after the model’s release, however, major backlash from AI researchers, developers, and policy experts began brewing on social media.
    Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 10 June 2026
  • Other industries, including those involved in producing food and medicine, relied on petrochemicals to produce crucial components, such as plastic pipes, an engineering expert told me.
    Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on hand

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster