hand-holding

noun

Definition of hand-holdingnext
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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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-holding But that muscle will take a while to rebuild after more than a decade of hand-holding by a central bank wary of surprising the market. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 30 July 2026 There's no hand-holding, though. — Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026 The math starts to favor hiring an experienced worker who needs less hand-holding. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 May 2026 Beyond the yachts themselves, the yards are working hard to secure younger clients, with more hand-holding during the sale process and build period than ever before. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for hand-holding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hand-holding
  1. assistance
  2. attention
  3. support
  4. assist
  5. help
  6. service
Noun
  • The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, with assistance from the FAA.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The doc tells the story of how more than 5,000 American lawyers, judges and legal experts became involved with CEELI, which was a pro bono initiative that provided technical legal assistance to former Soviet Bloc countries.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of assistance
Noun
  • Its fictional characters secretly controlled small workplace decisions without attracting attention.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Our server was effusive in her congratulations and attention, especially to my husband’s nut aversion.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of attention
Noun
  • Industry support When Corral’s exit from Movistar Plus was announced last year, there was an outpouring of anger, grief and concern from Spain’s creative community that is rarely afforded to a commissioning executive.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2026
  • As the disease progresses, muscles deteriorate, limiting the ability to hold one’s head upright, sit without support, raise arms or even breathe.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of support
Noun
  • Kazmierczak had 60 assists and 4 blocks, senior Kendall Ezell had 23 digs, and sophomore Emerson Lalashuis had 17 kills.
    — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Larsson recorded 17 points, six rebounds and eight assists while posting an impressive plus/minus of plus 12 in 31 minutes off the bench.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of assist
Noun
  • Desperate Israelis called the authorities, pleading for help that would not arrive for hours.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The sailors were brought to the island’s southern port of Galle on Saturday after Sri Lankan authorities received a distress call seeking medical help, said Thushara Rodrigo, the foreign ministry spokesperson.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of help
Noun
  • Edmond and fellow applicant Jessica Thibodeaux attended the meeting, and each addressed the council to discuss their background and interest in civic service.
    — Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Ground systems support the constellation and help sustain the positioning, navigation, and timing services used by military forces.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of service

Browse Nearby Words

handhold
hand-holding
hand-holdings
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Cite this Entry

“Hand-holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand-holding. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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