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
-
That means no more security updates, patches, or tech support, so now’s the time to upgrade.—
StackCommerce Team,
PC Magazine,
14 Sep. 2025
-
At the same time, maintaining emotional support while encouraging autonomy strikes a healthier balance than enabling avoidance.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In 179 games combined over the past three seasons in juniors, Bonk posted 45 goals and 102 assists for 147 points from the blue line, plus another 41 points (nine goals, 32 assists) in 56 playoff games.—
Kevin Kurz,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
-
In an Independent School League matchup, Tatum Sloper scored a pair of goals and Griffin Demers added two assists to boost Berwick Academy to a 3-0 victory over Wheeler School.—
Kevin Barrucci,
Boston Herald,
13 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
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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 15 Sep. 2025.
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