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
Adams views these interventions not as hand-holding, but as essential adaptations to a new workplace culture, where transparency, constant feedback, and a search for meaning are fundamental.
—
Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025
Ahead of their May studio confirmation, Anderson .Paak and Mariah Carey had already set the internet ablaze with a series of very public hand-holding moments.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 25 Sep. 2025
The Songbird Supreme spoke with Gayle King on the Wednesday, Sept. 24 episode of CBS Mornings about her upcoming 16th studio album, Here for It All, which features collaborations with .Paak following their recent hand-holding outings that sparked romance rumors.
—Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
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
Jason Ma, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2025
Ahead of their May studio confirmation, Anderson .Paak and Mariah Carey had already set the internet ablaze with a series of very public hand-holding moments.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 25 Sep. 2025
The Songbird Supreme spoke with Gayle King on the Wednesday, Sept. 24 episode of CBS Mornings about her upcoming 16th studio album, Here for It All, which features collaborations with .Paak following their recent hand-holding outings that sparked romance rumors.
—Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hand-holding
Noun
-
Data obtained by ProPublica from DHS indicates that there have been about 25,000 departures via the mobile app — and a little more than half of them returned with assistance from the federal agency, according to the news report.—
Alexandra Mendoza,
Twin Cities,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Now, about two-thirds of all full-time students receive some sort of financial assistance, which can bring college costs significantly down.—
Jessica Dickler,
CNBC,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
If the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel holds, where will The Free Press focus the majority of its editorial attention?—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
13 Oct. 2025
-
White working-class people in struggling Rust Belt communities have gotten a great deal of media attention in a partisan context in recent years.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Attendance is free with proceeds benefiting the Artisan Alliance at Wishing Spring scholarship, which offers continuing support to high school students who pursue the arts in college.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Hoka Rincon 4 One of the most affordable options on our list, the Hoka Rincon 4 has earned high praise from shoppers for its considerable comfort, support, and cushion.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Marchand, Ekblad and Lundell each had a goal and an assist.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
12 Oct. 2025
-
Nazem Kadri scored 34 goals and added 33 assists in 82 games last season to total him 67 points.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Oct. 2025
-
The trade deadline is still a month away, but given the state of the cornerback room, the Lions will need help.—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
If trapped by moving water, seek the highest possible point and contact emergency services by calling 911.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Consider Gatlin’s relationship with Jones, the Atlanta businessman who technically was not a Foundation vendor because his company, American Sound Design (ASD), did not provide any services to the Foundation or Jackson Health System.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hand-holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand-holding. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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