1
as in relinquishing
to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress
the police officer ordered the suspect to hand over his weapons
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in providing
to put (something) into the possession of someone for use or consumption
in response to a desperate plea, we handed over all our extra blankets and pillows to the homeless shelter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in leaving
to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another
handed over their valuables to the desk clerk, who put them in the hotel safe
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in handing
to shift possession of (something) from one person to another
hand over that screwdriver, will you please?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of handing over
Since Obama, the first president to use an official account on the social media site then called Twitter, left office in January 2017, handing over online accounts has been part of the transition process between administrations.
—
Stephen Fowler, NPR, 7 Feb. 2026
Because of this, handing over $35 million (€30 million) to Manchester United for Rashford might be the safest bet after all.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Phase One encountered setbacks due to Hamas not handing over the final deceased hostage and the Israeli airstrikes that occurred after the cease-fire came into effect in October.
—Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 22 Jan. 2026
At the same time, Ncuti Gatwa, the 15th Doctor, exited the show under something of a cloud, seemingly handing over the keys to a familiar face in Billie Piper’s Rose Tyler.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
Instead of simply handing over the keys, the former owners have taken the new young ones under their wing, offering advice and hands-on help.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Yeat joins him in another room, handing over what appears to be a file or document.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2025
Ultimately, China gets to keep the TikTok algorithm, simply licensing the algorithm to the US instead of handing over the heart of TikTok's success.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 16 Sep. 2025
But Kering has lost significant ground in the luxury space over the last few years as its core Gucci brand has slowed and Pinault is handing over operational duties to turnaround specialist Luca de Meo.
—Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
Stephen Fowler, NPR, 7 Feb. 2026
Because of this, handing over $35 million (€30 million) to Manchester United for Rashford might be the safest bet after all.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Phase One encountered setbacks due to Hamas not handing over the final deceased hostage and the Israeli airstrikes that occurred after the cease-fire came into effect in October.
—Olivia-Anne Cleary, Time, 22 Jan. 2026
At the same time, Ncuti Gatwa, the 15th Doctor, exited the show under something of a cloud, seemingly handing over the keys to a familiar face in Billie Piper’s Rose Tyler.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
Instead of simply handing over the keys, the former owners have taken the new young ones under their wing, offering advice and hands-on help.
—Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
Yeat joins him in another room, handing over what appears to be a file or document.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2025
Ultimately, China gets to keep the TikTok algorithm, simply licensing the algorithm to the US instead of handing over the heart of TikTok's success.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 16 Sep. 2025
But Kering has lost significant ground in the luxury space over the last few years as its core Gucci brand has slowed and Pinault is handing over operational duties to turnaround specialist Luca de Meo.
—Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handing over
Verb
-
The Buffalo Bills lasted seven weeks in the pole position before relinquishing the title to the Kansas City Chiefs.—
Scott Phillips,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Hamas has shown no signs of relinquishing power or its weapons.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Defenseman Noah Hanifin added another when his shot got through Mads Sogaard and trickled over the goal line a bit later, providing some breathing room that proved necessary.—
Stephen Whyno,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Some even attract animals and rodents by providing them with shelter.—
Shagun Khare,
The Spruce,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Before leaving, secure your home by locking it.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The rain started early in the morning and continued well into the night, soaking busy freeways in the midst of rush hour traffic and leaving some businesses and homes flooded.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Almost fifty years ahead of the battles of World War II, the Marquis de Morès had faced death in order to avoid handing Africa over to the British and the Jews.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Feb. 2026
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In one clip, Brian prepares his father and son to set out on their college road trip, handing his dad a backpack with his son’s asthma and allergy medications inside.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After rendering a contemporary Native American community in specific, surreal, often hilarious detail in Reservation Dogs, Sterlin Harjo turned to noir with The Lowdown.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
13 Feb. 2026
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This method also had the practical downside of rendering my colander unusable for straining the rigatoni for my Wednesday-night pasta alla vodka.—
Alma Avalle,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Staff strike an easy balance, remaining accessible while still giving guests the space to enjoy the area’s quiet and calm.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Feb. 2026
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Again, the Dodgers have talked openly about giving him more days off, because everything with this organization centers on October.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Iowa could get rid of townships as a unit of government and eliminate their boards of trustees, transferring their local authority to their respective counties.—
Stephen Gruber-Miller,
Des Moines Register,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Staff cleans up the sand that blows throughout the season to prevent winds from transferring it onto Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard.—
Lois K. Solomon,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Freeman’s contract is already more than halfway complete, with time passing quickly and his production on the field largely remaining the same.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The motorist and a passing Minnesota Department of Transportation snowplow operator both called 911.—
Forum News Service,
Twin Cities,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handing over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handing%20over. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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