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?
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of handing over
Election officials, including some Republicans, have said handing over the information would violate state and federal privacy laws.
—
CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Election officials, including some Republicans, have said handing over the information would violate state and federal privacy laws.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
Next, Timberlake can be seen handing over his license and registration before stepping out of the car to undergo a series of sobriety tests.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2026
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
CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Election officials, including some Republicans, have said handing over the information would violate state and federal privacy laws.
—ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
Next, Timberlake can be seen handing over his license and registration before stepping out of the car to undergo a series of sobriety tests.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handing over
Verb
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The United States has offered Iran a 15-point proposal for a ceasefire that includes it relinquishing control of the strait, but at the same time has ordered thousands more troops to the region — possibly in preparation for a military attempt to wrest the waterway from Iran.—
David Rising,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
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With concerns growing about a global energy crisis, an Iranian official said Tehran had no intention of relinquishing its tight grip on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for oil.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Supplemental Security Income is a program administered by the Social Security Administration providing benefits for those with limited or no income or resources, those aged 65 or older, and those who are blind or have a qualifying disability.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Pakistani officials have said their public effort follows weeks of quiet diplomacy, while providing few details.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Cotter received a two-minute penalty for goaltender interference, and Shesterkin and Markström were given two-minute penalties for leaving the crease and five minutes for fighting.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Lee Ginsberg is leaving film and television public relations firm Ginsberg / Libby to become an independent awards consultant.—
Marc Malkin,
Variety,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The right-hander walked two before handing the game to the bullpen.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Jets left winger Kyle Connor scored 33 seconds into overtime, handing the Hawks their fourth consecutive defeat.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This demo showed off a graphics-rendering task (an aquarium full of fish, whose frame rates and swimming action were directly affected by the availability of system resources).—
John Burek,
PC Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The game was about rendering a person with a limited palette of supplies.—
Eric Boodman,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
One law created new oversight, requiring oil companies to open their books and giving regulators more visibility into refinery profits and operations.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Clever Mercury in your sign trines lucky Jupiter in your 5th House of Delight, giving your words a playful glow and encouraging authentic self-expression.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Trailing 9-0 after three innings prevented anything that happened in Scottsdale or Toronto from transferring over.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
-
When in a group, space out to prevent the current from transferring between individuals.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Dave Malloy’s score is versatile, brilliant and grows more relevant with each passing year.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The backseat passenger on a passing scooter opened fire into a group of people at the corner, which included Kaori’s parents and some other young children.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Handing over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handing%20over. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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