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.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 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 Its relentlessly upbeat, hand-holding style has drawn constant criticism for coming across as condescending. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 16 Apr. 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
  • More than half the population is estimated to need humanitarian assistance because of surging gang violence amid deepening poverty and hunger.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The organization provides resources, education and other assistance from the idea phase to scaling up phase, Swaney said.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of assistance
Noun
  • Your attention to detail isn’t excessive when the numbers affect your security.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Sep. 2026
  • The later exposure windows produced more noticeable effects on sleep and next-day performance, including measures of attention, movement and dart-throwing accuracy.
    — Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of attention
Noun
  • The same investments that improve energy security can lower consumer costs, reduce emissions, strengthen industrial capacity and support growth.
    — Nana Menya Ayensu, semafor.com, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Modern submarine programmes involve sophisticated engineering, propulsion, sensors, communications, combat systems and long-term industrial support.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of support
Noun
  • Ovechkin played in all 82 games last season, posting 32 goals and 32 assists — modest by his standards, but remarkable at his age.
    — Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Reese contributed nine points, six rebounds and three assists, while Bueckers added seven points and three assists.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of assist
Noun
  • Offensive coordinator Frank Reich, who has been the play caller for some historically bad offenses, is a concern, but the help Smith will get from his teammates will be night-and-day better than last season.
    — Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The family has several immediate needs, including clothing, food, personal items and help with temporary living expenses, Sharp said.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of help
Noun
  • The ground level is dedicated to the living room, while the first floor houses bedroom collections, in addition to personalized design and consulting services, a materials library and a VIP room.
    — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Western intelligence services estimate Russia is losing some 40,000 troops a month – a rate of roughly 340 casualties for every square kilometer.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of service

Browse Nearby Words

handhold
hand-holding
hand-holdings
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hand-holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand-holding. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of hobnob

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All