hand 1 of 2

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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

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

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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

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hand

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verb

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

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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
But with backfield mate Ja’Kobi Jackson out and backup running back Duke Clark leaving during the contest, Napier’s hand couldn’t shift. Noah White, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025 The issue has become increasingly important following a surge in sectarian clashes in recent months that left hundreds of civilians from Syria’s Alawite and Druze communities dead, many reportedly at the hands of fighters aligned with pro-government forces. Eyad Kourdi, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
Hamas also repeated its willingness to hand Gaza’s administration to a Palestinian technocratic body backed by Arab and Islamic states. Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025 Combs' attorney Brian Steele handed him a napkin as Combs cried watching the video. Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hand
Noun
  • The program is open to eligible participants from counties in the eastern Upper Peninsula and the west side of the state to parts of metro Detroit, and has garnered tens of millions in public and private dollars as well as bipartisan interest from lawmakers.
    Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Head coach Robin van Persie’s pressing scheme was to show Villa’s defenders down the line, with Feyenoord’s closest central midfielder pressing the ball-side No 10.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • On a macro level, this group’s tough luck is moving the needle in broader data sets that are used in part by economists and monetary policymakers to determine the health of the economy.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The Cleveland Browns have never had a player in modern day that pushes the needle like Shedeur Sanders.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In a less literal approach, Jardini’s handwriting was present through nods to her personal archive of clothes and accessories.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025
  • The support for styluses like the Surface Slim Pen 2 on touch screens is robust, with incredibly good handwriting-to-text conversion and pressure sensitivity.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette maintains full editorial control over this article and all other coverage.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Going forward, the chain may need to hire a police detail to traffic control, the chief said.
    Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Protect your property and possessions from fire, theft, and other unexpected perils.
    Liz Knueven, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • His record includes larceny, theft, and marijuana possession, the agency said.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • For the last 45 years, the CRC has assisted people facing hunger, homelessness and trauma, offering services like the shelter, a food pantry, counseling, housing assistance and more.
    Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Launched in October 2024 as a pilot effort, the H2O initiative provides transitional housing assistance, move-in support, home modifications and case management to help individuals with serious mental illness stay in stable housing and on treatment plans.
    Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Some states have instituted requirements for websites with adult or pornographic content to verify visitors' age before granting access, although tech experts have pointed out VPNs can be used to get around those guardrails.
    Arpan Lobo, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The Asheville Citizen Times asked a public policy expert about the shutdown.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The group is still trying to collect enough signatures to see their proposal appear on the ballot in November 2026.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Some models suggest that K2-18b is a hycean world — an ocean planet with a thick atmosphere of hydrogen — and the signature of dimethyl sulfide was detected by the James Webb Space Telescope.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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