1
as in relinquishes
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 provides
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 hands
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 passes
to shift possession of (something) from one person to another
hand over that screwdriver, will you please?
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hands over
Using a clean pair, lightly dampen them with water and run your hands over the carpet.
—
Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Jan. 2026
Sure, the Pittsburgh Steelers coach could wring his hands over the impossibly thin line between victory and defeat, one his team received an up-close look at yet again in a riveting 26-24 win over Baltimore on Sunday night that clinched Pittsburgh's first AFC North title in five years.
—CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
Ellis then asked a new citizen from Syria to lead the Pledge of Allegiance as the group rose and placed their hands over their hearts.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
Arthur also hands over Roman's backpack, which Major Crimes investigates.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Yesavage’s father cupped two hands over his mouth and yelled from the crowd.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
These agencies use a courier who physically hands over the documentation and can provide additional details on where your passport is in the process.
—AFAR Media, 23 Sep. 2025
Wilson looked stunned, putting her hands over her mouth and dropping to the floor as her teammates surrounded her and cheered.
—Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
Robert finally hands over control of Downton to his daughter Mary and starts the process of downsizing.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Jan. 2026
Sure, the Pittsburgh Steelers coach could wring his hands over the impossibly thin line between victory and defeat, one his team received an up-close look at yet again in a riveting 26-24 win over Baltimore on Sunday night that clinched Pittsburgh's first AFC North title in five years.
—CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
Ellis then asked a new citizen from Syria to lead the Pledge of Allegiance as the group rose and placed their hands over their hearts.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
Arthur also hands over Roman's backpack, which Major Crimes investigates.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Yesavage’s father cupped two hands over his mouth and yelled from the crowd.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
These agencies use a courier who physically hands over the documentation and can provide additional details on where your passport is in the process.
—AFAR Media, 23 Sep. 2025
Wilson looked stunned, putting her hands over her mouth and dropping to the floor as her teammates surrounded her and cheered.
—Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
Robert finally hands over control of Downton to his daughter Mary and starts the process of downsizing.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hands over
Verb
-
Could this be the anarchic mind that emerges when the ego relinquishes its hold?—
Michael Pollan,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
-
If a player chooses not to negotiate with the Panthers, that player will be unable to sign elsewhere, unless Carolina relinquishes his rights by not offering him a tender.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The company provides fabrication, installation and tower services for broadcast, cellular, railroad and wind industries, according to its website.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The program trains officers to recognize certain personality types and provides techniques for de-escalation without physical conflict.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That's a big caveat that essentially hands the president unrestricted power to fire members of the Fed and replace them with his personal picks.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Percy hands the fleece to Clarisse.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
My Grandmother's Go-To Seasoning Now, every family tends to have a seasoning that gets used the most, and it often can be traced back to the relative who passes down recipes and makes the meanest pimiento cheese in town.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
1 Feb. 2026
-
And as time passes, manufacturer incentives fade away.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile the grasses keep whispering, whispering about some mortal danger, the crickets shriek, and the heat renders your body all too present to itself.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
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That absence recalls how Black communities have been deliberately omitted from Miami’s master plans for generations, first through segregation and redlining, now through redevelopment that renders the people who lived here an inconvenient memory.—
Alexandra Martinez,
Artforum,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Directly across from the hotel, guests can walk to a lift that gives them immediate access to Andermatt’s 112 miles of slopes—enough to keep you fully immersed in the winter wonderland for days on end.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Align with what actually uplevels you, not what confirms bias, is rage bait, or just gives a dopamine hit.—
Tribune Content Agency,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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At night, shadows from the tree leaves outside dance on the floor through the large window.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Jan. 2026
-
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel will talk to reporters at Gillette Stadium Friday afternoon before the team leaves for the Super Bowl in northern California this weekend.—
Mike Toole,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby are the secret weapons, and Nora Ephron's script never surrenders to sentimentality.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
USA Today,
15 Dec. 2025
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And this year, Stinett said, numbers are trending up again, with owner surrenders estimated to track up 40% from last year.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
25 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hands over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hands%20over. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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