1
as in control
the ability to direct the course of something
the final decision is in your hands
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in enjoyment
the fact or state of having (something) at one's disposal
I'd like to get my hands on that vintage Cadillac convertible
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in provides
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in passes
to shift possession of (something) from one person to another
the clerk handed her the receipt
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in leaves
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.
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Recent Examples of hands
Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
The largest ethnic group within that population is Burmese Muslims – known as Rohingya – who have been denied Burmese citizenship, faced widespread human rights abuses and, starting in 2016, genocide at the hands of the Burmese military.
—Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025
The two men shook hands while four umpires examined the lineup cards they were handed.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
New builds feel soulful in the hands of Denise Morrison, founder and principal designer of Morrison Interiors.
—Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025
Both Lebanon and Syria are emerging from devastating sectarian conflicts, foreign interference, and destruction at the hands of the Iranian regime and non-state actors who prioritized extremist ideology above all.
—semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Their fate lies in the hands of Judge Edward Chen, who has been overseeing that lawsuit.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is built to feel super sturdy in your hands with buttons that stay responsive even after hours of play.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 3 Sep. 2025
The victim told investigators the children were required to raise their hands for permission to go to the bathroom and werestruck with utensils, according to court documents.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2025
Shelley Zalis, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Prater hands Dexter a knife to facilitate Batista’s slaying.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025
Indianapolis and Tennessee round out the bottom of the AFC South, with the Colts turning the page on the Anthony Richardson era and giving Daniel Jones the reins, while Tennessee hands the keys to first overall pick Cam Ward.
—Austin Mock, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
But Democrats should hold off on gleefully penciling in 2028 as the year AI hands them the keys to the White House in perpetuity.
—Matt K. Lewis, Twin Cities, 19 Aug. 2025
Emmie hands things off to Art—AI that helps clinicians.
—Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
Gloria hands $500 to Lynette before heading out for the night.
—Allison Degrushe Published, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Taxpayers deserve a governor who negotiates for them, not one who hands unions a blank check.
—Frank Ricci, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2025
Noun
The trilogy fight between the two saw Shevchenko walk away from UFC 306 with the title back in her hands.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
The largest ethnic group within that population is Burmese Muslims – known as Rohingya – who have been denied Burmese citizenship, faced widespread human rights abuses and, starting in 2016, genocide at the hands of the Burmese military.
—Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025
The two men shook hands while four umpires examined the lineup cards they were handed.
—Chandler Rome, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
New builds feel soulful in the hands of Denise Morrison, founder and principal designer of Morrison Interiors.
—Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025
Both Lebanon and Syria are emerging from devastating sectarian conflicts, foreign interference, and destruction at the hands of the Iranian regime and non-state actors who prioritized extremist ideology above all.
—semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Their fate lies in the hands of Judge Edward Chen, who has been overseeing that lawsuit.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is built to feel super sturdy in your hands with buttons that stay responsive even after hours of play.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 3 Sep. 2025
The victim told investigators the children were required to raise their hands for permission to go to the bathroom and werestruck with utensils, according to court documents.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
So the next time life hands you something unexpected, a shift in direction, a surprise offer, a new connection that lights you up, don’t overanalyze.
—Shelley Zalis, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Prater hands Dexter a knife to facilitate Batista’s slaying.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025
Indianapolis and Tennessee round out the bottom of the AFC South, with the Colts turning the page on the Anthony Richardson era and giving Daniel Jones the reins, while Tennessee hands the keys to first overall pick Cam Ward.
—Austin Mock, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
But Democrats should hold off on gleefully penciling in 2028 as the year AI hands them the keys to the White House in perpetuity.
—Matt K. Lewis, Twin Cities, 19 Aug. 2025
Emmie hands things off to Art—AI that helps clinicians.
—Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
Gloria hands $500 to Lynette before heading out for the night.
—Allison Degrushe Published, EW.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Taxpayers deserve a governor who negotiates for them, not one who hands unions a blank check.
—Frank Ricci, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hands
Noun
-
In August 2018, having been co-owners since 2007, Stan Kroenke bought Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov’s 30 per cent shareholding for over £600m, ending a long power struggle for ultimate control of the club and taking his total stake to 97 per cent.—
Dan Sheldon,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Turn into the skid - Turning into the skid can help the vehicle's tires realign to regain control.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Part of his enjoyment came from being surrounded by talented actors like Carell, Fey, Domingo, Calvani and Kenney-Silver.—
Sean Mandell,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Although that trip was born from an educational perspective, there was a high level of luxury and enjoyment.—
Ann Abel,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In addition to these ingredients, the lipstick also has SPF 10 in it, which provides gentle protection from harmful UV rays.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Replaces Pervis Estupinan, who has joined Milan, in the squad and provides competition for Ferdi Kadioglu.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The law imposes a 25-cent tax on each online sports bet, rising to 50 cents once a sportsbook passes 20 million wagers in a fiscal year.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
-
As time passes, the Russians deny any involvement.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
At each camp, the team leaves behind a small but powerful item, a red card that explains what to do during encounters with immigration officials.—
David Rodriguez Muñoz,
Freep.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
When her mother leaves the room for a moment, she's accosted by a demonic entity that toys with her through funhouse-style reflections, creating this evil doppelganger of Judy.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Teams have a firm grasp of his strengths and weaknesses.—
Bobby Krivitsky,
Forbes.com,
1 Sep. 2025
-
The Hurricanes needed that to happen after the game nearly slipped out of their grasps.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The 33,000 documents provided by the DOJ to Congress is just a fraction of the files the Department of Justice has in its possession.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Court records show that a majority of Stevenson's arrests are related to the unlawful possession of a firearm or narcotics.—
Chris Spargo,
People.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But that huge exception is in the form of Michelle Yeoh, who supplies a healthy dose of star power to play the role of the titular devil child’s loving mother, Lady Yin.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
2 Sep. 2025
-
When something small goes wrong, pause and identify the immediate story your mind supplies about it.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hands.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hands. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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