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
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
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift are in their hand-holding era!
—Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 15 Oct. 2023
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
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift are in their hand-holding era!
—Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 15 Oct. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hand-holding
Noun
-
Time and again, both parties have reinforced systemic inequality through cuts to housing assistance, erosion of the social safety net, and a growing trend to treat housing as a commodity rather than a public good, the book argues.—
Ericka Taylor,
NPR,
4 June 2025
-
Trained Individuals People who train to increase their breath-holding abilities, like free divers—people who swim or dive beneath the water’s surface to a considerable depth and without assistance from a breathing device–have reportedly been able to hold their breath for three minutes or longer.—
Patty Weasler,
Verywell Health,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
The issue was first brought to the judge's attention while court was in session on June 10.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
14 June 2025
-
That’s despite its generous 7.9% dividend, which should be getting more attention.—
Michael Foster,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
Noun
-
Crucially, the Pixel 8 still has five years of software support left.—
Janhoi McGregor,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
-
Keep in mind that bush-type beans and peas generally don't need support, but pole beans require trellises or cages for their vining stems. Lupines: Many growers don't realize that lupines belong to the legume family and can also benefit neighboring plants with their nitrogen fixing roots.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 June 2025
Noun
-
Mellanby’s career numbers: 364 goals and 476 assists in 1,431 regular-season games (tied for 17th all-time).—
Jeff Kleinman,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2025
-
In the first three games of last year’s Final, Florida held McDavid to no goals and three assists.—
Adam Lichtenstein,
Sun Sentinel,
2 June 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
-
This is one of the most important services of their lives.—
Buddha Lo,
People.com,
13 June 2025
-
Keep in mind that these services may not work all the time.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hand-holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand-holding. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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