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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hand-holding
Noun
-
Ecumenical Hunger Program did administer a Family Sustainability Program that was started during COVID that provided financial assistance to families in need in our community.—
Sooji Nam,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
-
Families that have been priced out of the market are able to use Habitat’s below-market interest rate loans and down payment assistance.—
Kamal Morgan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
If attention arrives fast, share credit and keep momentum steady by choosing the next clear milestone.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
15 June 2026
-
McKay admired how Greenberg, who has devoted his life to drawing attention to the climate crisis, has used every platform at his disposal to magnify the stakes of global warming.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
The aircraft, a long-haul B-52 Stratofortress, crashed after taking off on a test mission in support of a radar modernization program, the military base previously said.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
And Operations Manager David Temple adds that guests find support, security, and stability.—
Sharon Chin,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Detroit Red Wings captain and forward Dylan Larkin, an 11-year NHL veteran with 643 career points (276 goals, 367 assists) through 808 career games and who was part of the United States’ gold medal-winning team at the 2026 Winter Olympics, has requested a trade.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
15 June 2026
-
Jordin Canada ran the offense without a turnover, finishing with nine assists and three steals.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
The Knicks are taking their victory lap with help from Jimmy Fallon.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
-
Chicago police are asking for the public's help in identifying a suspect who stabbed another man during a fight on a CTA Blue Line train earlier this month.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
Noun
-
Since taking the reins at the RSN in October 2024, Wisnia has done his bit to boost in-game deliveries—the Red Sox closed out last season up 46% in average household ratings—while spearheading an efficiency review that gave way to the relaunch of NESN’s direct-to-consumer service.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
12 June 2026
-
This need for data sovereignty is sparking demand for local data centers in key geographies, which is ultimately driving up the total cost of providing AI services.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hand-holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand-holding. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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