as in easy
involving minimal difficulty or effort
after all that worrying, the game for the championship turned out to be a hands-down win
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in definitely
without any question
she is hands down the most gifted musician in the class
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in easily
without difficulty
she'll win the dancing competition hands down
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in passes (down)
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in kithes
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of hands-down
Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2026
This is my hands-down favorite purse because of the clever design.
—Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 5 May 2026
But his hands-down, semi-reckless style typically gives opponents a high offensive floor early in the fight, which has always been a concern of mine.
—Brett Appley, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2026
My favorite sneakers in my closet right now are hands-down this slim Tokyo style from Adidas.
—Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 7 Mar. 2026
Best Mid Size 3-Row SUV Hyundai Palisade Redesigned for 2026, the even more modern and luxurious Hyundai Palisade was hands-down our judges favorite.
—Scotty Reiss, Parents, 24 Feb. 2026
But for now the Guggenheim Dodgers are the best at spending their money, have the best head of baseball operations in Andrew Friedman, have the hands-down best manager in Dave Roberts.
—Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
My hands-down favorite room was the bathroom.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026
This is hands-down my favorite percale cotton duvet cover.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
There are plenty of destinations worth considering along the country’s Caribbean shores, but the Bocas del Toro archipelago is hands-down the most popular choice.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2026
This is my hands-down favorite purse because of the clever design.
—Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 5 May 2026
But his hands-down, semi-reckless style typically gives opponents a high offensive floor early in the fight, which has always been a concern of mine.
—Brett Appley, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2026
My favorite sneakers in my closet right now are hands-down this slim Tokyo style from Adidas.
—Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 7 Mar. 2026
Best Mid Size 3-Row SUV Hyundai Palisade Redesigned for 2026, the even more modern and luxurious Hyundai Palisade was hands-down our judges favorite.
—Scotty Reiss, Parents, 24 Feb. 2026
But for now the Guggenheim Dodgers are the best at spending their money, have the best head of baseball operations in Andrew Friedman, have the hands-down best manager in Dave Roberts.
—Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
My hands-down favorite room was the bathroom.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026
This is hands-down my favorite percale cotton duvet cover.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 23 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hands-down
Adjective
-
The first approach—the easiest default position—is to squeeze out the remaining essence of neoliberalism, taking the wealthiest patrons as the primary audience, whatever interests and investments that entails.—
Katy Siegel,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
The neighborhood/area While Rajvilas is set outside the city center, Jaipur’s main attractions are an easy drive away.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Adverb
-
Celebrities dress to impress at Cannes, and Dern’s outfit at this year’s film festival definitely hit the mark.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
-
In between those two events, this rising pop star from New Zealand — boasting a sound that would definitely appeal to fans of Lorde — sat down with me for interview in the media room at BottleRock.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Adverb
-
Just nine miles away from the resort, the terrain is easily accessible but best navigated with an expert.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 May 2026
-
This source of damage is easily avoided by purchasing manure and hay from a reputable source and asking if the source material was treated with aminopyralid.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Set the scene Deliberately designed like a modern-day Acropolis, Amanzoe is poised on a hilltop with wide-screen views of the rolling valleys and smooth seas of the Peloponnese.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Enthusiasts love it for its voluptuous beauty and buttery-smooth typing action.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
Adverb
-
What Bryant explains is that the Giants locker room almost certainly doesn't care about someone's political opinions.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2026
-
On Saturday night, the rapper’s first headlining solo show since at least 2019 was certainly a reinforcement that Jay-Z is still one of the best rappers alive, if not the preeminent emcee of his generation.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Variety,
31 May 2026
Adverb
-
An event of this magnitude requires significant planning, personnel, equipment and cooperation to go smoothly.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
31 May 2026
-
Breathing, movement, swallowing — all of it depends on this communication working smoothly.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
His experience high up in department leadership and navigating the COVID-19 pandemic in the jails and familiarity with how immigration enforcement intersects with the county jails informs his plans, Corbett said.—
Sierra van der Brug,
Daily News,
28 May 2026
-
Asteroid Day is a global awareness campaign that informs people about the risks associated with asteroid impacts.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
The actor, 39, pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts of simple battery in a Louisiana criminal court Wednesday, June 3, according to records obtained by USA TODAY.—
Liza Esquibias,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
-
At the time, the New Orleans Police Department confirmed its officers charged LaBeouf with two counts of simple battery for allegedly assaulting two men near a bar in the French Quarter.—
Alexandra Del Rosario,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hands-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hands-down. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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