1
as in side
a certain way in which something appears or may be regarded
on the one hand, you would have more storage space in a larger house, but on the other, you would have more rooms to heat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
4
as in employe
one who works for another for wages or a salary
the restaurant always hires several more hands for the busy summer season
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in handwriting
the form or style of a particular person's writing
writes with a flowing, old-fashioned hand
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in control
usually hands plural
the ability to direct the course of something
the final decision is in your hands
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in possession
hands plural
the fact or state of having (something) at one's disposal
I'd like to get my hands on that vintage Cadillac convertible
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in assistance
an act or instance of helping
the downstairs tenant gave us a hand getting the heavy dresser up the stairs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in expert
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field
once she got her own place, the young woman showed that she was quite a hand at interior decoration
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
1
as in to provide
to put (something) into the possession of someone for use or consumption
was happy to hand her grandmother's cookie recipes to the parish ladies to put in their cookbook
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to leave
to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another
handed me her bundles while she fished for her house keys
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 29 May 2025
But by the time Rogers’ turn arrived, SMU president Kenneth Pye was spearheading an effort to shift conference governance away from FARs and into the hands of university presidents.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 29 May 2025
Joe Vardon, New York Times, 27 May 2025
Actress Tasha Smith introduced Jackson before handing her the Icon Award onstage.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hand
Noun
The catastrophic loss of life at the hands of a single bacterium during the 14th century remains one of human history’s most devastating events.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 29 May 2025
But by the time Rogers’ turn arrived, SMU president Kenneth Pye was spearheading an effort to shift conference governance away from FARs and into the hands of university presidents.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 29 May 2025
Verb
In the second half, Pacers entertainment staff handed the microphone to former Indianapolis Colts punter and ESPN personality Pat McAfee, who introduced Knicks fans Spike Lee, Ben Stiller, and Timothée Chalamet – all of them in attendance in Indianapolis.
—Joe Vardon, New York Times, 27 May 2025
Actress Tasha Smith introduced Jackson before handing her the Icon Award onstage.
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hand
Noun
-
And if the governments around the world leave that to the commercial side, then there are a lot more resources that are freed up for the science side, for the national prestige side, and those types of things.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 May 2025
-
Miceli fired two shots, and one bullet hit the SUV’s front passenger side panel, prosecutors said.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
The starkness of Huyler’s writing needles into an essential loneliness of medical practice.—
Danielle Ofri,
New Yorker,
7 June 2025
-
The efforts for the attention of Emmy voters is as fierce as ever, but does any of this stuff move the needle?—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Forty-two students helped to transfer the original messages onto large river rocks, replicating not only their words but the original handwriting and drawings.—
Liz Rothaus Bertrand,
Charlotte Observer,
28 May 2025
-
In addition, a double-sided leaf notebook that Lincoln used as a boy in school, which has the earliest surviving examples of his handwriting, sold for $521,200.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2025
-
Make sure the tires reconnect with the road - During the skid, wait until the tires reconnect with the road and then gently straighten the wheels to regain control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
In a statement to the Tribune, Reese denied that any staffers notified him about concerns over Crayton’s alleged firearm possession.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2025
-
After the Sun got the stop, Rivers led a fast-break possession, assisting Jacy Sheldon for the easy bucket.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
Trained Individuals People who train to increase their breath-holding abilities, like free divers—people who swim or dive beneath the water’s surface to a considerable depth and without assistance from a breathing device–have reportedly been able to hold their breath for three minutes or longer.—
Patty Weasler,
Verywell Health,
4 June 2025
-
Time and again, both parties have reinforced systemic inequality through cuts to housing assistance, erosion of the social safety net, and a growing trend to treat housing as a commodity rather than a public good, the book argues.—
Ericka Taylor,
NPR,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
Heterosexuality is the norm, and experts say that creates the need to dedicate a month to LGBTQ+ visibility.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
3 June 2025
-
As an example, this leads to a greater understanding of signals and the integration of the communications expert into decision-making.—
Bill Edwards,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
The restaurant, a 43-year landmark between Fort Worth and Arlington, has been cleaned throughout, and its signature toy train is again clickety-clacking around the dining room ceiling.—
Bud Kennedy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 June 2025
-
The Pacers have one of the league’s fastest and best offenses with a signature style of getting the ball off the rim or out of the basket as fast as possible and pushing it up the floor.—
Joe Vardon,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share