Thesaurus results for HAND-FEED

hand-feed

verb

Definition of hand-feed

as in to spoon-feed

Related Words

Relevance

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-feed In 2017, a couple driving on the Alaska Highway posted photos of themselves hand-feeding donuts and hot dogs to a grizzly bear through the window of their vehicle. — Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 21 May 2026 Ollier pointed out the original coal furnaces, still hand-fed to heat each carriage. — Erica Firpo, AFAR Media, 5 Nov. 2025 The animals have transitioned from being hand-fed to exhibiting natural pack behaviors, including hunting on their own, with Remus taking on a more Alpha role amongst them. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025 Meanwhile, Ali Baba’s Farm offers a hands-on experience—where little ones can hand-feed fluffy goats and cuddle baby bunnies beneath shady olive trees. — Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hand-feed

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hand-feed

Verb

The Vikings didn’t spoon-feed their complex system to Murray in OTAs.

— The Athletic NFL Staff, New York Times, 20 July 2026
Swift was shown spoon-feeding him, tongue in cheek, like a fussy baby in a restaurant.

— Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2026

Definition of spoon-feed

Verb

However, frequent consumption of sweets and sugary drinks can overfeed harmful bacteria in a way that neither saliva nor helpful bacteria can overcome.

— Jacqueline Abranches, The Conversation, 2 Dec. 2025
Remember, those treat calories count toward the daily total, so adjust meal portions accordingly to prevent overfeeding and maintain a balanced, healthy diet.

— Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025

Definition of overfeed

Verb

Entering this season, Georgia doesn’t appear to have an obvious candidate to force-feed the ball.

— Connor Riley, AJC.com, 14 Aug. 2026
When so much of the online algorithm force-feeds division, the World Cup has presented a new, uplifting form of viral content; unifying, cross-cultural, a reminder, should it be required, that most people actually like one another.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 23 June 2026

Definition of force-feed

Verb

Meyer Turku Shipyard in Finland floated out the massive Hero of the Seas last Friday as the ship’s dry dock was filled with more than 90 million gallons of water overnight.

— Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026
Those who bought a vase were able to bring it home filled with fresh flowers.

— Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of fill

Browse Nearby Words

hand-fed

hand-feed

hand-feeding

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Hand-feed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand-feed. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of hand-feed

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

shofar

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes