hand 1 of 2

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 2

verb

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

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
Cook over medium-high, stirring vigorously with one hand while moving the pan back and forth with the other, until the sauce glossily drapes the noodles, 5 to 7 minutes. Emily Weinstein, Twin Cities, 4 June 2026 But the saying can also apply in the traditional sense, explaining that favoritism, and biases, are a part of life, society, business and sport, and everyone must find a way to play the hand they are dealt. Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
Verb
Mika Hakkinen’s hydraulics failure at the 2001 Spanish Grand Prix happened on the final lap, handing the win to his arch rival and that year’s eventual champion, Michael Schumacher. Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 29 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
  • The rescue caps off the busiest season ever on Everest with more than 1,000 climbers summiting the mountain’s south side, including a record 274 in a single day on May 20.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 5 June 2026
  • Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum stated that the promenade would connect the back side of the Lincoln Memorial to the Potomac River and that the promenade was a part of the McMillian Plan, the early 20th century plan that laid out the National Mall.
    James Powel, USA Today, 5 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
  • Startup Moonshot, behind the Kimi AI model, was founded by former Meta AI and Google Brain employee Yang Zhilin.
    Evelyn Cheng,Anniek Bao, CNBC, 5 June 2026
  • Roman said many former employees are holding onto the idea anyway.
    Bri Buckley, CBS News, 5 June 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • One in Indiana told me that his violations included a mix-up involving an Amish customer’s name; one in South Carolina told me his violations included filling out forms on behalf of elderly customers with shaky handwriting.
    Alec MacGillis, ProPublica, 1 June 2026
Noun
  • The iXi trolley uses two cameras and GPS that’s pre-loaded with maps of more than 40,000 courses to autonomously steer itself, with players able to issue commands via hand gestures or voice control.
    Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 5 June 2026
  • Finance teams gain earlier cost visibility, improving margin control and sustainability and sourcing teams can evaluate material impact, availability and waste implications.
    Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • Portland also dominated on the boards to get extra possessions.
    Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
  • Bruno Fernandes pulls the strings in the final third with the precision of his right foot, Paris Saint-Germain star Vitinha is essential in speeding up circulation in midfield and maintaining possession, and Bernardo Silva is decisive from the right wing, often popping up in unexpected spaces.
    Esteban Campanela, CNN Money, 7 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 11 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