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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of hands-down
Lizbeth Scordo, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 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
This is hands-down a hairstyle that can adapt to any mood and occasion.
—Audrey Noble, InStyle, 13 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
For the dip enthusiasts, this is a hands-down crowdpleaser.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
But all these years later, Nintendo has finally beat Midway to it, and to be honest, DKB is probably my favorite game of 2025, hands-down.
—Mitch Wallace, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The spa The spa was hands-down my favorite experience at the Princess.
—Lizbeth Scordo, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Jan. 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
This is hands-down a hairstyle that can adapt to any mood and occasion.
—Audrey Noble, InStyle, 13 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
For the dip enthusiasts, this is a hands-down crowdpleaser.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2025
But all these years later, Nintendo has finally beat Midway to it, and to be honest, DKB is probably my favorite game of 2025, hands-down.
—Mitch Wallace, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hands-down
Adjective
-
Use features like in-app messaging, video chat before meeting in person, profile visibility controls and easy blocking or reporting options.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Sánchez Arévalo has framed the film as a deliberate genre blend — thriller, drama, black comedy and Western — emphasizing that its resistance to easy labelling was central to the appeal.—
Emiliano De Pablos,
Variety,
9 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
So there are definitely more affordable opportunities here now for both buyers and owners.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Cleaning Supplies Experts agree that cleaning supplies should definitely be kept out of the kitchen.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
6 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
However, this is most easily observed in the most luminous and/or the most massive stars, such as stars in the asymptotic giant branch phase.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Lighter damage often heals easily on its own, but deeper burns destroy both surface and deeper tissues.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The fragrance opens with a playful burst of juicy raspberry before folding into warm vanilla blossom, eventually settling into a smooth veil of cashmere musk that feels cozy without ever becoming heavy.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Try making vichyssoise, a simple, smooth soup combining leeks and potatoes.—
Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner,
Martha Stewart,
9 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
But kudos to the Mitch Marner vote; that would certainly be something.—
Shayna Goldman,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
And dance it most certainly did.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
9 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Travel Document Organizer You’d be surprised how many times a day passengers arrive at the front of the check-in line without their photo ID ready, something Crook says is essential for keeping the line moving smoothly.—
Kayla Becker,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Hotels tend to prefer water activities that integrate smoothly into guest stays.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Tracking how clusters assemble across vast stretches of time and space also informs our knowledge of the cosmic web and the cosmological parameters that shape it.—
Lee Billings,
Scientific American,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Read Buy or Sell GOOG Stock to understand what informs our current opinion.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The 18-year-old was also charged with simple assault, a misdemeanor and summary charges of harassment and disorderly conduct.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
-
With similar pressures and temperatures to those found at Earth’s surface, Venus, up above its cloud-tops, might already be home to simple but hardy microbial life forms.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hands-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hands-down. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
