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
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
-
Access is easy as there’s no steel fencing around the flame, only a 4-foot-high wall of sandbags.—
Noo Saro-Wiwa,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Herbs like basil, mint, and parsley are incredibly easy to grow and add fresh flavor to your meals.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
23 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
With a lot of pressure on A&M to perform after a down year in 2025, relying on a true freshman at a critical position is definitely a gamble.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
-
That said, the clear majority of your training–definitely greater than 50%–should be done at a slow pace, Hamilton says.—
Jenny McCoy,
SELF,
20 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
For Lexus, their technology, safety and reliability easily top the charts nationwide as resale values continue to hold firm for the overall brand.—
Marc D. Grasso,
Boston Herald,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Neutral nail devotees can easily shift to a pastel yellow manicure—which plays just as nicely with your spring wardrobe as a classic pale pink.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Diamond Crystal or Morton kosher salt to reserved bowl with saffron; whisk until smooth.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
-
December 22 – January 19 Small systems make your day run smoother.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
There are certainly areas for all parties to improve, Hernandez said.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
23 Mar. 2026
-
These certainly aren’t the only proposals candidates have on the topic, or all the candidates who are running for governor, but rather just some of the ideas floated to voters recently.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
22 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Refine a process with a peer so everyone’s work runs more smoothly, or write down instructions for something others need to know.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Rocha provided a witness affidavit alleging their last visitation went smoothly and that the child appeared happy and secure in his presence.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Each discipline informs the next with her signature curiosity and expressive energy.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
-
And many have speculated that Netflix’s vast trove of data informs certain narrative habits on its shows (cliff-hangers to encourage bingeing, for example, and frequent restating of plot points to engage viewers distracted by their phones).—
Geoff Colvin,
Fortune,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In Catanzaro Lido, a beach town along the Ionian coast, meals tend to be simple and communal.—
Jenna Curcio,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Mar. 2026
-
In her first interview since becoming head of content at Disney+ EMEA, Angela Jain has said the message to writers and producers is simple, the streamer is going to greenlight more originals from the region and will be backing that effort with extra funds for local fare.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hands-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hands-down. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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