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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 fact, many of the posters, my colleagues and I have noticed, seem to be marked with verbatim messages in similar handwriting; had Schiffmann not only courted the vandalism but also instigated it?
    Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Not creepy in its meaning, but Benny’s handwriting looks like that of a serial killer.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Secure, redundant communication systems ensure instant presidential command, while E-6B airborne launch control aircraft can assume control if ground communication is lost, guaranteeing uninterrupted deterrence capability.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
  • The percentage indicates how much of the fire perimeter has been surrounded by a control line.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The service up to them has been lacking in quality, but finding a way to retain possession would be helpful.
    The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • That matters when a game is decided by one possession.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Noting the billions of dollars that Arkansas spends each year on federal programs to help the poor, including Medicaid, food stamps, child welfare and unemployment assistance, Sanders suggested the problems are often too big for a single program to fix.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The program, which offers $1,500 mid-pregnancy cash assistance and then $500 a month up to a year of the baby's life, already operates in 11 communities around Michigan.
    Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 6 Oct. 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
  • Speaking of lids, they’re crafted with Tupperware’s classic sunburst design and feature the brand’s signature instant seal lid to lock in freshness and prevent leaks and spills.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Last month, a Ward 2 resident initiated the process of gathering signatures to trigger a recall election of Richardson.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.

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