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.

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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 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 The service Don't expect any hand-holding here. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Mar. 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
  • The United States, once the top provider of assistance to Afghanistan, no longer even ranks in the top five of donor nations.
    — Kara Fox, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Police said that detectives were called for assistance after dispatchers were notified of a man down along Pine Hollow Road just after midnight on Friday.
    — Mike Darnay, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of assistance
Noun
  • Temperature control requires some attention, as the trailers can heat up quickly in direct sunlight and cool dramatically after dark.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Bernard gets more of the attention; Weru, a native of Kenya, was an international rugby player who is now learning football.
    — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of attention
Noun
  • Others are just as deliberate about avoiding the front lines, gravitating toward technical or support specialties where the likelihood of direct combat is lower, but translating those skills to a civilian job may be smoother.
    — Steven Beynon, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Jiang’s era saw China’s economy charge ahead and open up to the world, culminating with the country joining the World Trade Organization – with US support – in 2001.
    — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of support
Noun
  • Reese was 9-for-9 from the field, hitting two 3-pointers, for 20 points and had 10 rebounds and eight assists for her WNBA-leading 25th double-double of the season.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Shepard, who had eight rebounds and four assists, and Alysha Clark scored before Clark hit a 3-pointer.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of assist
Noun
  • Arnold did a good job of rerouting Daniels, but Simpson trusted Daniels to get across his face, knowing that Arnold didn’t have safety help.
    — Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The case highlights the clash between the public’s expectation of privacy and the government’s contention that warrantless searches of phones and other electronics help keep Americans safe.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of help
Noun
  • From ChatGPT and Claude, to autonomous vehicles, to the music streaming services recommend to users – people are interacting with AI regularly.
    — Max Darrow, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Vitaly, the neighbor from Horodyshche, said Berezovska’s mother was inconsolable during the service, which was attended by many.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of service

Browse Nearby Words

handhold
hand-holding
hand-holdings
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Cite this Entry

“Hand-holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand-holding. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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