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
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
The two played a game of Barrymore Bingo, featuring staple moments that happen in practically every interview, like hand-holding or getting curled up on the couch.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
The service Don't expect any hand-holding here.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Mar. 2026
Ratner captures lots of hand-holding, little connection.
—Amy Nicholson, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
OpenAI is now offering agents that are more about automating workflows—logging into applications, executing tasks, and managing tasks without much human hand-holding.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
And in the sweetest bit of romance so far, Lady Bridgerton herself seems one step closer to acting on her attraction to Lady Danbury's brother Lord Anderson (Daniel Francis), with the two sharing a (scandalous) moment of hand-holding at the ball.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
There are no more smiles and no more hand-holding, only two sad adults.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
There’s no spoon-feeding or hand-holding.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 15 Jan. 2026
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 May 2026
The two played a game of Barrymore Bingo, featuring staple moments that happen in practically every interview, like hand-holding or getting curled up on the couch.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
The service Don't expect any hand-holding here.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Mar. 2026
Ratner captures lots of hand-holding, little connection.
—Amy Nicholson, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
OpenAI is now offering agents that are more about automating workflows—logging into applications, executing tasks, and managing tasks without much human hand-holding.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
And in the sweetest bit of romance so far, Lady Bridgerton herself seems one step closer to acting on her attraction to Lady Danbury's brother Lord Anderson (Daniel Francis), with the two sharing a (scandalous) moment of hand-holding at the ball.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
There are no more smiles and no more hand-holding, only two sad adults.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
There’s no spoon-feeding or hand-holding.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hand-holding
Noun
-
Visitors with specific needs can contact Guest Services for assistance.—
Taylor Haught,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2026
-
In a report set to be presented Tuesday to the Police Commission, LAPD officials said drones were deployed more than 3,000 times last year, mostly in response to emergency calls or officer requests for assistance.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As the Moon moves into Capricorn this afternoon, attention shifts toward what works, what needs structure, and what can hold up over time.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
5 May 2026
-
False alarms present a challenge, which can be costly in terms of time and attention, said Patrick Roberts, a senior researcher with the nonprofit research group Rand who recently finished a project on accelerating innovation in wildfire management.—
Dorany Pineda,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
The only other two candidates to get double-digit support were Bianco and Becerra.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
Public First has spent four hundred and fifty thousand dollars in support of Bores.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Embiid totaled only 14 points on 3-of-11 shooting with four rebounds and an assist in 25 minutes.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
-
Goncalves received the secondary assist, skating in from the top of the left circle to free up D’Astous for a shot attempt from the point.—
Eduardo A. Encina,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Cops are asking the public’s help finding Maykoll Lanuza Morales, wanted for the slaying inside a Richmond Hill apartment building last month.—
Sheetal Banchariya,
New York Daily News,
4 May 2026
-
Wachsmann got some help from his defense in that game — specifically by his third baseman on a bunt play and on a gapper that the center fielder ran down — but was otherwise unhittable.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
The 24-hour drop-in center offers services, including charging stations, a kitchen and medical and laundry rooms.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
-
The incident May 1 involved a bulk carrier southwest of Al Mukalla, Yemen, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations service.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hand-holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand-holding. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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