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 But that muscle will take a while to rebuild after more than a decade of hand-holding by a central bank wary of surprising the market. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 30 July 2026 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 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 Hope Florida Foundation supports Hope Florida, a signature initiative of DeSantis and his wife, Casey, that has aimed to get people off government assistance by connecting them with nonprofits and churches instead.
    — Liv Caputo, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
  • In 1867, the British government united its North American colonies to form the Canadian Confederation, in part to deter Washington from invading Canada in retaliation for London’s assistance to the Confederacy during the Civil War.
    — Robert B. Zoellick, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of assistance
Noun
  • While the Cornell case has drawn significant attention and public support, survivors may respond differently.
    — Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Mesh, lace, metallic studs, crochet and tie-dye competed for attention, while fitted party dresses and washed denim leaned heavily on familiar notions of off-duty rock-chick dressing.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of attention
Noun
  • The actors Nael Nacer and Artemis Pebdani double as Haddad’s great-aunt and -uncle and parents, playing across a spectrum of discomfort and cautious support.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Its adaptable architecture supports missions including tactical logistics, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, casualty evacuation, communications support and other mission-critical applications.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of support
Noun
  • Antetokounmpo totaled 14 points, three rebounds, five assists and one block in the first half of the scrimmage.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Adaptive cruise control, speed-limit assist, lane-keeping assistance and steering assistance are all standard on the new 3 Series.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of assist
Noun
  • With the press world’s help, Omar Jamal was anointed as the authoritative voice on all political issues concerning Minnesota’s Somali community and the Somali population at large in America.
    — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The driver of a car died early Sunday despite intense rescue efforts that began when a police officer spotted the crash and immediately called for help, police said.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of help
Noun
  • Van Wissen and Lupker hope to expand the service to such fashionable cities as London, New York, Milan and Los Angeles, and are eyeing emerging destinations like Turkey and Morocco, too.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The service Despite its intimate size, the service at Hotel 28 Myeongdong is thoroughly warm and attentive.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Oct. 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 12 Oct. 2026.

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