1
as in provided
to put (something) into the possession of someone for use or consumption
was happy to hand her grandmother's cookie recipes to the parish ladies to put in their cookbook
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in passed
to shift possession of (something) from one person to another
the clerk handed her the receipt
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in left
to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another
handed me her bundles while she fished for her house keys
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 handed
Unlike Utah and Chicago, teams trying to lose who just so happened to luck into unexpected wins, the visiting and contending Minnesota Timberwolves established themselves early, withstood a spirited Golden State rally and handed the Warriors a 127-117 loss.
—
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2026
In short, the court handed the president an off-ramp from one of the most unpopular economic policies of his second term, with a legitimate constitutional explanation attached.
—Jay Caruso, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
The first tourney bid arrived in 1986, but after the Huskers lost to Western Kentucky, head coach Moe Iba (son of the legendary Henry) immediately handed his letter of resignation to a school official.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
The case in Rio de Janeiro’s famed beachside neighborhood, which allegedly took place in January, gained national traction last week when four suspects handed themselves over to authorities.
—Eléonore Hughes, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handed
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2026
In short, the court handed the president an off-ramp from one of the most unpopular economic policies of his second term, with a legitimate constitutional explanation attached.
—Jay Caruso, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
The first tourney bid arrived in 1986, but after the Huskers lost to Western Kentucky, head coach Moe Iba (son of the legendary Henry) immediately handed his letter of resignation to a school official.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
The case in Rio de Janeiro’s famed beachside neighborhood, which allegedly took place in January, gained national traction last week when four suspects handed themselves over to authorities.
—Eléonore Hughes, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for handed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handed
Verb
-
In contrast to that excitement, the Oscar for best supporting actor provided almost no drama whatsoever.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
16 Mar. 2026
-
That could, some insiders say, be the current trend, three-year contracts, instead of five or six, with enough resources provided to give the new coach a chance to rebuild quickly through the transfer portal.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The bill, which requires national voter ID and proof of citizenship when registering to vote, is broadly supported by Republicans and passed the House in February with zero defections.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Mar. 2026
-
While state lawmakers have passed nearly 50 new laws aimed at improving youth mental health, Colorado Health Institute found 44% of kids who needed care last year didn't get it due to a lack of money or insurance.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Girl Scout Ava Duff gave a speech and led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by other speakers and a wreath-laying ceremony at the first lady’s grave site in Yorba Linda.—
Jeff Gritchen,
Oc Register,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Deputies gave him several doses of Narcan, a medicine that rapidly reverses opioid overdoses, and began CPR, the sheriff’s office said.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Well before the Bellevue shelter reached its current state, people were trying to shut it down.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Downtown Los Angeles reached 94 degrees, beating its previous daily high for March 18 of 87 in 1997.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
He's often seen joking with or getting tips from players such as Hacopian, the star second baseman who transferred in this offseason.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The two hundred and fifty people in residence at Bellevue would be transferred to other shelters this month, and men’s intake would move to a shelter on East Third Street—the same site where it was situated decades ago, before Bellevue took over.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For the occasion, my mother had put on her Balenciaga, a black dress with two wide shoulder straps, a firm bodice, a full skirt that ended a few inches above the ankles, and the illusion of an underskirt supplied by a band of taffeta ruffles, also black, that peeked out from beneath the hem.—
Han Ong,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The world is abundantly supplied with oil and energy.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In choosing Rosenberg, OU not only spent heavily but entrusted the process of replacing long-time AD Joe Castiglione to a relative newcomer in the field.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Emma Williams, whose family entrusted the Hallfords to take care of her father's remains in 2022, said Carie Hallford had a choice.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But the relentless words of wisdom, and the shouting-to-the-rafters way they’re delivered, soon become tiresome.—
Jon O'Brien,
IndieWire,
19 Mar. 2026
-
This week, as part of an ongoing international convoy to help Cuba, European activists delivered more than four tons of medical supplies to the island.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handed. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
