1
as in to relinquish
to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress
the police officer ordered the suspect to hand over his weapons
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to provide
to put (something) into the possession of someone for use or consumption
in response to a desperate plea, we handed over all our extra blankets and pillows to the homeless shelter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to hand
to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another
handed over their valuables to the desk clerk, who put them in the hotel safe
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in surrender
the usually forced yielding of one's person or possessions to the control of another
though the handover of my wallet was painful, it was better than getting shot by some trigger-happy punk
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 over
Stephen Whyno, Twin Cities, 21 Feb. 2026
Walmart has handed over purchase records covering all sales of that backpack across Arizona, law enforcement sources have told ABC News.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 20 Feb. 2026
Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Should the handover of violent criminals who happen to be in the country without permission happen strictly in the state prisons?
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hand over
Verb
Coach Jon Cooper did not show his hand over whether Crosby will be available.
—Stephen Whyno, Twin Cities, 21 Feb. 2026
Walmart has handed over purchase records covering all sales of that backpack across Arizona, law enforcement sources have told ABC News.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
Helicopters were used for aerial coverage of pro-democracy marches on July 1, the anniversary of the territory’s handover to China.
—Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Should the handover of violent criminals who happen to be in the country without permission happen strictly in the state prisons?
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hand over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hand over
Verb
-
McDuffie is highly unlikely to generate the same return that, say, cornerback Sauce Gardner did just three months ago — the Colts relinquished two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell to the New York Jets in exchange for Gardner.—
Sam McDowell
February 20,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Riley was the head coach and team president for the Heat’s first NBA championship in 2006 before relinquishing those duties to Spoelstra in 2008.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Private cottages provide extra space and solitude, plus special amenities like outdoor soaking tubs, dining areas, and kitchens.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The most advanced pediatric care in the state is provided at the Medical University of South Carolina’s campus in Charleston, several hours away from the Upstate on the coast.—
Jennifer Berry Hawes,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
No charges were filed against Ramos-Caballero and he was never arrested by the Boise Police Department, who handed him over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents the day of the incident.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The City Council has not voted on the project since handing it off in October 2024 and did not weigh in on the plans before their release.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
That humans being timed, evaluated and improved to be more like a machine is a surrender of more than our dignity to machines.—
Caleb Harris,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The college game needs a full surrender to March Madness, the only moment that this sport has the spotlight.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Prices are reasonable, and treatments can be booked on your cottage terrace, which, when said terrace overlooks the Caribbean from a volcanic hilltop, renders any dedicated spa building beside the point.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
-
By Rachel Metz, Bloomberg Anthropic PBC is expanding the reach of its Claude chatbot into new sectors, weeks after the startup sparked a market meltdown with the release of tools that raised questions about AI’s potential to render entire businesses obsolete.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For those criminals, there is zero tolerance — they should be immediately deported or imprisoned, and sanctuary jurisdictions that give them safe harbor must be held accountable.—
Gabe Evans,
Denver Post,
25 Feb. 2026
-
But Andrews said state law doesn’t give counties the authority to issue moratoria.—
Elizabeth Campbell,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
With the high court passing on the city’s request, that leaves in place a ruling that the city violated state law and needs to update its housing plan and zone for at least 13,368 new homes this decade, including affordable options.—
Claire Wang,
Oc Register,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Air vibrates the tissues in the voice box while an area just above contracts, leaving a small opening for the whistle to escape.—
Adithi Ramakrishnan,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Under the terms of the settlement, Vivint Solar will notify eligible consumers how to submit claims to take part in the $3 million restitution fund, as well as deadlines for making submissions.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The Loewe Foundation received more than 5,100 submissions, which were whittled down by an expert committee to the 30 finalists, who work in such media as ceramics, wood, textiles, furniture, bookbinding, glass, metal, jewelry and lacquer.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hand over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand%20over. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
