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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Recent Examples of hands-down
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
Both want as many records as possible to finish their careers as hands-down the greatest ever.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
This is hands-down my favorite percale cotton duvet cover.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 23 Jan. 2026
Welcome back to the most scintillating, compelling, thrilling, and hands-down drunkest literary advice column this side of the lord’s internet.
—Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
Pottery Barn is hands-down one of the best places to find beautiful quilts for year-round use.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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
Both want as many records as possible to finish their careers as hands-down the greatest ever.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026
This is hands-down my favorite percale cotton duvet cover.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 23 Jan. 2026
Welcome back to the most scintillating, compelling, thrilling, and hands-down drunkest literary advice column this side of the lord’s internet.
—Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
Pottery Barn is hands-down one of the best places to find beautiful quilts for year-round use.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hands-down
Adjective
-
Try the West Fork of Oak Creek hike for a daylong adventure (with 11 rivers to cross), Broken Arrow Trail for an easier (yet no less scenic) stroll, or Boynton Vista Trail, which takes you to the Kachina Woman rock formation, one of the town’s four vortexes.—
Annie Daly,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The Falcons put to bed any notion of an easy ride for Boise State early in the game.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Imaging can raise suspicion, but the only definitive diagnosis comes from pathology, typically after a hysterectomy—definitely not an option for me at this point.—
L'Oreal Thompson Payton,
SELF,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Wild fans pining for a reunion of brothers at the trade deadline definitely got one.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
6 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Despite the full skirt, midi-length, and corset-style top, which give it a formal look, the cotton dress was easily my most comfortable outfit, particularly since the brand designed it to be worn bra-free.—
Irene Richardson,
InStyle,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Designed for small patios, balconies, and gardens, the three-piece set includes a weather-resistant oval table and two chairs that easily tuck into nooks and tight corners.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Set in the heart of Charleston’s historic district just steps from King Street, the property feels grand in every sense of the word, from its smooth marble floors and winding staircase to its glittering chandeliers and sheer number of rooms (434, to be exact).—
Annie Daly,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The cake’s exterior is cloaked in smooth buttercream icing that clings to the fork, while the generous dusting of coconut flakes adds a gentle crackle with each mouthful.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Which is certainly an admirable approach, albeit a rather idealistic strategy in a state of nearly 23 million voters, spread over roughly 800 miles from north to south.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
While his legacy was certainly felt in Send Help, Jeff Probst was unfortunately too busy with Tribal Council to make a cameo.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
8 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
This alignment allows energy to flow more smoothly through the material, significantly increasing thermal conductivity.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Then the graceful roll of the ball with his studs smoothly took him past another two to shoot at goal.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In typical 30 Rock fashion, the bit reaches the height of absurdity when someone informs Arthur that some of the tennis balls are meant to be actual tennis balls in the scene.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Doyle disappears down the corridor, and a title card informs us that Charnier got away.—
Paul Fitzgerald,
Rolling Stone,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Engineers have developed a simple strategy to help robots remain stable while repairing satellites in orbit by using a second robotic arm to counterbalance movements.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Don’t be afraid to suggest budget caps for group plans, because everyone relaxes when guidelines are simple and visible.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hands-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hands-down. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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