as in assistance
patient and attentive guidance encouragement, or instruction
New computer users often require a good deal of hand-holding.
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Recent Examples of hand-holding
The somatic exercises in particular, such as deep breathing, hand-holding or direct eye-gazing, allow participants to check in with how their bodies feel in proximity to one another.
—
Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
An in-depth farmer training program on organic agricultural practices would be required, which may need to be supported by a technologically sound hand-holding mechanism, ideally synced with specific Indian regions’ crop calendars.
—Indrabati Lahiri, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
Lack Of Initiative Startups need self-starters who can tackle challenges without excessive hand-holding.
—Abdo Riani, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Between my parents there was not the slightest gesture of fondness; no hand-holding or sitting close with arms around each other; and hardly ever a kiss.
—Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025
Zanna Clay/Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary Interestingly, this challenges common thought that chimpanzees settle disputes with aggression and hierarchical dominance, and instead display social bonding behavior through acts like grooming and hand-holding.
—New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2025
Unlike Love Island or Too Hot to Handle, the smiles, eye contact and brief hand-holding do all the talking in Single’s Inferno.
—Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
The lack of eye contact, smiles, or hand-holding between the couple, suggesting discomfort.
—Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
Between my parents there was not the slightest gesture of fondness; no hand-holding or sitting close with arms around each other; and hardly ever a kiss.
—Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025
Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
An in-depth farmer training program on organic agricultural practices would be required, which may need to be supported by a technologically sound hand-holding mechanism, ideally synced with specific Indian regions’ crop calendars.
—Indrabati Lahiri, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
Lack Of Initiative Startups need self-starters who can tackle challenges without excessive hand-holding.
—Abdo Riani, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Between my parents there was not the slightest gesture of fondness; no hand-holding or sitting close with arms around each other; and hardly ever a kiss.
—Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025
Zanna Clay/Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary Interestingly, this challenges common thought that chimpanzees settle disputes with aggression and hierarchical dominance, and instead display social bonding behavior through acts like grooming and hand-holding.
—New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2025
Unlike Love Island or Too Hot to Handle, the smiles, eye contact and brief hand-holding do all the talking in Single’s Inferno.
—Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
The lack of eye contact, smiles, or hand-holding between the couple, suggesting discomfort.
—Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
Between my parents there was not the slightest gesture of fondness; no hand-holding or sitting close with arms around each other; and hardly ever a kiss.
—Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hand-holding
Noun
-
This safety net extends beyond clinical care to include essential social programs — housing assistance, food programs like SNAP and energy assistance — that address the broader determinants of health, many of which face threatening cuts in their own right.—
Jacob Murphy,
Baltimore Sun,
10 July 2025
-
Please contact your members of Congress and urge them to support ongoing U.S. investments in foreign assistance.—
Courtney Busch,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Borden was eventually acquitted of the crimes, but the brutal nature of the murders attracted nationwide attention and contributed to Borden’s place in popular culture.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
8 July 2025
-
Big races, like the Boxing Day Race, sell out quickly, and for a couple of hours, the island’s attention shifts from its relaxing beaches to the excitement of the racetrack.—
Ana Sotelo,
The Dial,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
Garlic’s many health benefits include immunity support, soothing inflammation, and boosting collagen production.—
Alessandra Signorelli,
Vogue,
1 July 2025
-
In the letter sent Friday, lawmakers expressed support of efforts to deport violent criminals, but told Trump that raids targeting criminals have resulted in fear among non-criminal migrants.—
Molly Gibbs,
Sacbee.com,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
In the pantheon of secondary assists, Euro 2025 served up an all-timer yesterday.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
9 July 2025
-
Penda played 30 games last season with Le Mans Sarthe of the LNB Elite league in France, averaging 10.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.38 steals and 27.2 minutes.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
But in the meantime, those who know her are left to ponder an illness that appears to have consumed the caring mother, in spite of her efforts to get help.—
Laura Crimaldi,
BostonGlobe.com,
13 Feb. 2023
-
Police departments in Carroll County could get help from the state with funding the high cost of outfitting officers with body cameras, if a bill introduced in the Maryland General Assembly is passed.—
Sherry Greenfield,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Feb. 2023
Noun
-
Although Pazzi is gone, the need for automation in food service continues to grow.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
6 July 2025
-
The weather service warns that in hilly terrain, there are hundreds of low-water crossings that are potentially dangerous in heavy rain.—
Austin American Statesman,
Austin American Statesman,
6 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hand-holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand-holding. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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