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
Relevance
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
Apple is turning a page as CEO Tim Cook hands over the reins to successor John Ternus, marking only the second leadership transition since Steve Jobs.
—
Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
But the Dodgers bundled up, fought off the chill by scoring runs in each of the first five innings and warmed their hands over a 7-1 defeat of the Colorado Rockies.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 18 Apr. 2026
Some in the opposition are still expecting dirty tricks in the next days and weeks, before Orbán formally hands over power.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026
And few, if any, players grabbed a place with two hands over the past week in Atlanta.
—Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
The new guy hands over a slip of paper and Sonny is stirred by what's written on it.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
DeChambeau put his hands over his head in disbelief when Lee missed the playoff putt.
—Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026
The MacBook Neo launched yesterday, with many preorders arriving in customers' hands over the last couple of days.
—James Peckham, PC Magazine, 12 Mar. 2026
At night, Elizaga hands over control of the Mirador space to chef Diego Muñoz for his Peruvian dinner concept Puna, where ceviche and oysters kick off a potentially long and always fabulous meal that touches bone marrow, chicken and prawn escabeche, and some seriously succulent pork belly.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Mar. 2026
Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
But the Dodgers bundled up, fought off the chill by scoring runs in each of the first five innings and warmed their hands over a 7-1 defeat of the Colorado Rockies.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 18 Apr. 2026
Some in the opposition are still expecting dirty tricks in the next days and weeks, before Orbán formally hands over power.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026
And few, if any, players grabbed a place with two hands over the past week in Atlanta.
—Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
The new guy hands over a slip of paper and Sonny is stirred by what's written on it.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
DeChambeau put his hands over his head in disbelief when Lee missed the playoff putt.
—Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026
The MacBook Neo launched yesterday, with many preorders arriving in customers' hands over the last couple of days.
—James Peckham, PC Magazine, 12 Mar. 2026
At night, Elizaga hands over control of the Mirador space to chef Diego Muñoz for his Peruvian dinner concept Puna, where ceviche and oysters kick off a potentially long and always fabulous meal that touches bone marrow, chicken and prawn escabeche, and some seriously succulent pork belly.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hands over
Verb
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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
-
Hameed provides the voice and remote puppetry, while Shah inhabits the bear costume onstage.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation offers a Free Snack Program that provides nutritious meals for youths — newborns to 18-year-olds — at its public parks.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
Verb
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Of particular concern is the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial waterway off Iran, where more than 20% of the world's oil supply normally passes.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil trade normally passes through the strait, and the global energy crisis threatened to deepen as the war is now in its eighth week.—
Michelle L. Price,
Fortune,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sue Chrysanthou, MacInnes’ barrister, told the court that Ghost suffered cold urticaria after the swim, a condition that effectively renders people allergic to cold water.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
20 Apr. 2026
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Even though the economic fallout of the Iran war renders the report somewhat stale, Thursday’s data gives the Fed a valuable look at the underlying conditions before the conflict began.—
Josephine Rozzelle,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Each necklace has a little pavé jump ring that attaches it to the chain and gives it a subtle sparkle.—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Styles checks every box in the type of player the Commanders covet — tough, versatile, athletic, smart — and gives them a young player to build around for years to come.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The move leaves the Seahawks with a total of six picks in the draft.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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Despite the album’s high quality across the board, Mahesh still leaves a few ends loose.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Just like that, Cassie surrenders her image to Maddy’s control.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
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Robert Simmons surrenders to police following a seven-hour standoff.—
Julie Sharp,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hands over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hands%20over. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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