1
as in providing
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 passing
to shift possession of (something) from one person to another
the clerk handed her the receipt
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in leaving
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 handing
Johnson then had a lengthy discussion with MLB’s replay office in New York before handing the bat to an authenticator sitting near the Yankees dugout.
—
Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
The American designer brought Miceli on board with him at Louis Vuitton, eventually handing her the design reins for fashion jewelry.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Its marketing materials show robots handing an apple to a human, making coffee, putting away groceries and dishes, pouring drinks, and watering plants.
—Maya Cakmak, IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2025
That led to the Packers handing the former first-round pick a four-year, $220 million contract extension.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Promises mean nothing if they are not written down, and this is also a lesson in how not to negotiate from Isak’s agent; a six-year deal, effectively handing Newcastle the power over his prime years, with no break clause is what led to this.
—Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
While one friend manages the balance, the group shares a physical card during their travels, handing it off as needed for things like grocery runs or filling up the rental car.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Leventhal has also donated to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu — most recently handing her $1,000 in 2021 — and former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, state campaign finance data shows.
—Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
Officials have said Guard personnel are not making arrests, only helping to detain people briefly if necessary before handing them off to law enforcement.
—ABC News, 21 Aug. 2025
Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
The American designer brought Miceli on board with him at Louis Vuitton, eventually handing her the design reins for fashion jewelry.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Its marketing materials show robots handing an apple to a human, making coffee, putting away groceries and dishes, pouring drinks, and watering plants.
—Maya Cakmak, IEEE Spectrum, 3 Sep. 2025
That led to the Packers handing the former first-round pick a four-year, $220 million contract extension.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Promises mean nothing if they are not written down, and this is also a lesson in how not to negotiate from Isak’s agent; a six-year deal, effectively handing Newcastle the power over his prime years, with no break clause is what led to this.
—Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
While one friend manages the balance, the group shares a physical card during their travels, handing it off as needed for things like grocery runs or filling up the rental car.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Leventhal has also donated to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu — most recently handing her $1,000 in 2021 — and former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, state campaign finance data shows.
—Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
Officials have said Guard personnel are not making arrests, only helping to detain people briefly if necessary before handing them off to law enforcement.
—ABC News, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handing
Verb
-
There are also fears that doctors in these practices may focus too much on keeping paying patients happy, rather than providing the best disease management or medical care, researchers said.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Justice Defenders isn’t the only such program providing assistance to human rights defenders that was terminated because of the federal rollback.—
Ray Long,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The improvements came in the passing attack, with wideout Javen Nicholas recording a career-best 11 catches for 122 yards, coming just one shy of tying Austin Duke’s program reception record of 12.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Sep. 2025
-
This phenomenon is caused by sunlight passing through the Earth’s ozone layer in the upper atmosphere, Russell said.—
Taylor Nicioli,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Afghan, who asked to remain anonymous, has lived for months at a time without leaving his home, fearful of retribution, and torture, from the Taliban.—
Chris Boccia,
ABC News,
5 Sep. 2025
-
In defending Wolves leaving some of their business until later in the window and missing out on several targets publicly, Shi made a fairly strong case for the club.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The European Commission said Google favored its own online display services, giving its ad exchange, AdX, a central role in the adtech supply chain.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The YouTube cameras caught Kelce giving some tough love to Taylor, which involved a small head-butt and loud words.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This approach reduces the risks associated with handling and transferring sensitive data across borders.—
Chidambaram Bhat,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Han recommends wrapping cut onions tightly in plastic wrap or transferring them to an airtight container to store in the fridge.—
Heather Riske,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Organizations prize leaders who can scale outcomes by delegating effectively, empowering teams, and creating the conditions for collective success.—
Matthew C. Meade,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
The best, in fact, are generally good at delegating.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In Ryan Coogler’s 2025 blockbuster, Sinners, Wunmi Mosaku plays a woman named Annie, who makes a living by supplying her neighbors in Clarksdale, Mississippi, with homemade medicinal cures.—
Danielle Amir Jackson,
The Atlantic,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Ukrainian and Western governments have accused North Korea of supplying significant amounts of ammunition and troops to support Russia's war, while Kyiv and its NATO backers have identified China as Moscow's prime source of materiel and a vital economic lifeline.—
Leah Sarnoff,
ABC News,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Kehl was able to circumvent several layers of security in the building before getting on an elevator and reaching the 48th floor.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Cross found prosecutors withheld evidence from Jones' lawyers during the first trial that could have resulted in jurors reaching a different conclusion about his guilt or innocence.—
Dan Horn,
The Enquirer,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Handing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handing. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share