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
Everyone gathers in the seance room for a little Practical Magic–esque spell-casting hand-holding.
—
Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
Cross-train staff, delegate decision making early, and build a leadership layer that doesn’t need hand-holding.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
In the middle of the episode, the pop superstar — who demonstrated visible PDA with Travis, 35, throughout the podcast's two-hour duration (kissing, hand-holding and all) — discussed her obsession with numerology, particularly her fascination with the number 13.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Startups need self-starters who can tackle challenges without excessive hand-holding.
—Abdo Riani, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
Cross-train staff, delegate decision making early, and build a leadership layer that doesn’t need hand-holding.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
In the middle of the episode, the pop superstar — who demonstrated visible PDA with Travis, 35, throughout the podcast's two-hour duration (kissing, hand-holding and all) — discussed her obsession with numerology, particularly her fascination with the number 13.
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Startups need self-starters who can tackle challenges without excessive hand-holding.
—Abdo Riani, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hand-holding
Noun
-
On top of that, the Wawa Foundation also sends care packages to troops, and the employees can receive tuition assistance.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Discounted membership options are available for young adults and qualifying recipients of government assistance.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Jalen Carter’s ejection understandably received the attention on Thursday, but Jordan Davis’ performance should not be lost in the shuffle.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Of course, Grande just appearing anywhere tonight garnered attention from fans in the room.—
Stacy Lambe,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Podiatrists crafted them specifically to solve the lack of arch support in most shoes.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Thank you to everyone whos been showering so much love and support for the music and movie.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Hailie Mace, who picked up an assist on Cooper’s first-half goal, described the moment postgame.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The Sky went after a veteran point guard in Vandersloot, who has won two titles and led the league in assists seven times.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Rather than rendering aid or notifying emergency personnel, Sellers told co-workers that a ‘woman fell in the parking lot’ and needed help.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But unlike a first class cabin on a plane, these buses don't include any dedicated on-board service.—
Opheli Garcia Lawler,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The center opened eight weeks ago and aims to close the gap in support for adult day center services in Tennessee.—
Ruben Montoya,
Nashville Tennessean,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hand-holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand-holding. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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