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
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Local farmers and businesses in Wisconsin are bracing for impact as funding for the state's federal food assistance program is set to run out by November.—
Anna Kleiber,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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Beyond in-person assistance, travelers can also download their specific airline’s smartphone app, which may be able to provide immediate re-booking assistance, and potentially even a complimentary hotel or meal.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Fear, devotion, inquisition, obsession, admiration – all attention is good attention.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Even so, there’s still time for any 2026 NFL Draft hopefuls to catch the attention of pro scouts.—
Dane Brugler,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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From fuzzy open-toe slip-ons to orthopedic slides with extra arch support, there’s an affordable gift in here for everyone.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Some celebrants were building political support for the controversial Barge Canal.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Thompson scored a goal and also had an assist on a pretty passing play that went from him to Zach Benson to Jiri Kulich, who finished with a one-timer.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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In the span of 46 minutes, there were 30 wagers from a professional sports bettor that totaled $13,759 on the under for Rozier’s points, rebounds and assists, which caused several sportsbooks to close down prop betting on his statistics.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Connor called 911 for help, and authorities tried to locate Mallory while also talking to the rest of the friends about what happened.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
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In recent days, the grassroots effort has spread, as messages offering and seeking assistance are cut, copied and pasted throughout communities big and small, connecting neighbors and finding those in need tangible help.—
Alisha Ebrahimji,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Moore said that while any and all legal options will be considered, the group's main focus will be on advocacy for pretrial services and other programming that can keep people out of jail.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 Nov. 2025
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Airwallex also offers its global network of licenses and services to other fintech companies through API integrations, such as facilitating Brex, Rippling, and Deel’s international expansions.—
Leo Schwartz,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hand-holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand-holding. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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