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
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Recent Examples of hands
Literary Hub, 19 May 2026
Gentle cleanse with a fragrance-free, non-stripping cleanser (use hands, lukewarm water).
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 18 May 2026
Some 1,400 years later, this copy of his poem resurfaced in Rome’s main public library — but not before crossing the Atlantic Ocean at least twice and changing hands even more times.
—Andrea Rosa, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
Do not eat, drink or touch anything to your mouth without thoroughly washing your hands after handling poultry or something from their environment.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 18 May 2026
Immediately rub your hands with olive oil to remove most of the capsaicin, and then wash them thoroughly with soap and warm water.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 May 2026
Wash your hands and the area around the bite, the Mayo Clinic said.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2026
The review followed a 2022 report that highlighted the excavation of a Lenape burial site whose ownership was later returned to Native American hands, the outlet reported.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 12 May 2026
Keeping your spine straight and core engaged, lift your hands to shoulder height with straight arms.
—Jenessa Connor, Health, 11 May 2026
Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 11 May 2026
The partnership hands a big win to OpenAI’s biggest competitor at the peak of Musk’s public feud with OpenAI, and provides a roadmap to where the relationship between Musk and Anthropic could head next.
—Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 6 May 2026
When Mathias heads straight from the airport to a salon-like reception in honor of Elena, the tone of the event is set when a butler hands him a necktie to borrow.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
The vote hands Lula another significant defeat in Congress months before his bid for a fourth nonconsecutive term.
—ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
Judd hands her a gun and tells her to join the executioner’s squad.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
But its sense of Kevin’s journey from a shy, kept cat to one ready for whatever life hands him is clear, a North Star to guide all the otherwise enjoyable chaos.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
The church hands the bags out to people and also prepares it through its food kitchen and at shelters several times a month.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Madison says as Tyler hands her a plate.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
My hands and fingers, like hers, have learned the territory and just get on with the job.
—Literary Hub, 19 May 2026
Gentle cleanse with a fragrance-free, non-stripping cleanser (use hands, lukewarm water).
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 18 May 2026
Some 1,400 years later, this copy of his poem resurfaced in Rome’s main public library — but not before crossing the Atlantic Ocean at least twice and changing hands even more times.
—Andrea Rosa, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
Do not eat, drink or touch anything to your mouth without thoroughly washing your hands after handling poultry or something from their environment.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 18 May 2026
Immediately rub your hands with olive oil to remove most of the capsaicin, and then wash them thoroughly with soap and warm water.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 May 2026
Wash your hands and the area around the bite, the Mayo Clinic said.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2026
The review followed a 2022 report that highlighted the excavation of a Lenape burial site whose ownership was later returned to Native American hands, the outlet reported.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 12 May 2026
Keeping your spine straight and core engaged, lift your hands to shoulder height with straight arms.
—Jenessa Connor, Health, 11 May 2026
Verb
Jesus Vasquez hands a petition to another student.
—Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 11 May 2026
The partnership hands a big win to OpenAI’s biggest competitor at the peak of Musk’s public feud with OpenAI, and provides a roadmap to where the relationship between Musk and Anthropic could head next.
—Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 6 May 2026
When Mathias heads straight from the airport to a salon-like reception in honor of Elena, the tone of the event is set when a butler hands him a necktie to borrow.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
The vote hands Lula another significant defeat in Congress months before his bid for a fourth nonconsecutive term.
—ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
Judd hands her a gun and tells her to join the executioner’s squad.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
But its sense of Kevin’s journey from a shy, kept cat to one ready for whatever life hands him is clear, a North Star to guide all the otherwise enjoyable chaos.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
The church hands the bags out to people and also prepares it through its food kitchen and at shelters several times a month.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Madison says as Tyler hands her a plate.
—Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hands
Noun
-
To take an example that would be potentially devastating to the Republicans, imagine that the Democrats took full control of the state government in Georgia.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
-
Private equity companies would be banned from investing in youth sports teams, leagues, facilities and events under a new federal bill, a move lawmakers say would lower participation costs for families and restore control of a public good to local communities.—
Kenny Jacoby,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
When the Moon enters Taurus, enjoyment gives your confidence something solid to build on.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
-
Ben Shapiro’s heartwarming enjoyment of musical theater?—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
The Ontology not only integrates with a wide range of applications, datasets, virtual tables, and models, but also provides the real-world objects and logic needed to run a large enterprise.—
Steve Banker,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
During the spring and early summer, proceeds from the store will benefit the Luminus Network, which provides legal services to immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers.—
Susan Soldavin,
Baltimore Sun,
16 May 2026
Verb
-
Granit Xhaka was the midfielder primarily tasked with threading progressive passes through opposing lines, while Florian Wirtz would often receive these with space to turn and run towards goal.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
Southeast Asia doesn’t have the luxury to bet its economic future on a 6,000-mile supply chain that passes through a single, 21-mile-wide chokepoint, the Strait of Hormuz.—
Ken Silverstein,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
As Raskar explained that in India, digital public infrastructure is leading to a reinvention of payment systems, Rai mentioned the levels of adoption of device technology, which leaves the population more open to apps.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Johnson’s Anaia is much sweeter, and though there’s some ferocity inside her too, the movie leaves her in a compassionate, optimistic place.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Continuously setting industry standards and re-imagining what cruise travel can be, the company manages to maintain its Dutch roots and history while keeping a firm grasp on modern travel trends.—
Claudia Alarcón,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
No one really has a good grasp of … [its] mid- to long-term impact.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
The fiasco left aspiring translators in Korea, most of them people of color, with one less route into the profession, further enabling white people’s social and actual capital to be kept within their possession.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
Other than the San Antonio Spurs, the Knicks are the only postseason team that ranks in the top three in points scored and allowed per 100 possessions.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Baltimore’s captain is countered by Justin Herbert, who supplies his own smooth tenacity for Los Angeles.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
-
Teledyne Energy Systems supplies thermoelectric components, while BAE Systems develops insulation systems for the generator.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hands.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hands. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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