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
-
The spry assistance of stagehands, who not only move set pieces but help flesh out the world of the play, is a jaunty touch.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2025
-
Create your company’s chart of accounts Establishing your chart of accounts is a critical set-up step that some experts suggest is best done with the assistance of a professional.—
Mia Taylor,
CNBC,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
Bao Sheng was one of the first biodynamic durian farms in Malaysia, and its owner is credited with calling attention to durian’s numbing properties.—
Tom Downey,
Smithsonian Magazine,
26 June 2025
-
Most visual ads compete with other adjacent ads while trying to capture a viewer’s attention, whereas audio creates a one-on-one, voice-first experience that is built on a more authentic, concrete foundation.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
Despite the proposal receiving some bipartisan support Wednesday afternoon, lawmakers on the Joint Legislative Audit Committee stopped short of recommending the project be audited.—
Kate Wolffe,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2025
-
In 1879, politician Robert Evans introduced a bill to celebrate Black emancipation, but the bill did not garner enough support during the Jim Crow era, Collins said.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
Melbourne, an Australian basketball player who earned a bronze medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, is averaging 6.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists this season.—
Paulina Dedaj,
FOXNews.com,
27 June 2025
-
Igor Jesus adapted quickly, clambering past Soares in the pecking order and registering six goals and an assist in his first seven starts.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
27 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
-
While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
24 June 2025
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Prior authorization refers to when medical providers have to get approval from insurers before performing a service.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hand-holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand-holding. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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