hands-down 1 of 3

Definition of hands-downnext

hands down

2 of 3

adverb

hands down

3 of 3

verb

present tense third-person singular of hand down

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
Adjective
Twinning with Hathaway would be thrilling at any point, but especially so with my hands-down favorite pair of sweats. Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 4 Apr. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hands-down
Adjective
  • The Game Zone arcade area is another easy win, especially for younger kids and teens, with a mix of high-tech games and nostalgic favorites that make a great break from the sun.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
  • The step-through frame is legit-easy for riders of all sizes.
    Joe Salas April 07, New Atlas, 7 Apr. 2026
Adverb
  • This one is definitely going into heavy rotation for the next month or two.
    Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 3 Apr. 2026
  • But he's definitely got his finger on the pulse of the culture, so good for him.
    Erin Jensen, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Adverb
  • These words are fascinating to consider in relation to Soderbergh, who has flitted among genres and subjects with a facility that is easily mistaken for dilettantism, or even ventriloquism.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
  • While economic impact can be quantified and reported, community impact cannot be so easily transacted.
    Michelle Grabner, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Some patients wait and see The early experience with the pill hasn’t been smooth for everyone.
    Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Their bestselling Regenerating Cleanser gently polishes away impurities and dullness to reveal a healthy-looking, radiant glow, clinically proven to make skin look brighter, smoother, more hydrated and pores look smaller.
    Tory Johnson, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
Adverb
  • O’Leary, who also threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief, is feeling locked in on the mound and certainly at the plate.
    Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Angels fans certainly remember Adell knocking a ball over the fence in Texas during his rookie season, for a rare four-base error.
    Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 5 Apr. 2026
Adverb
  • The 10-year plan was running smoothly.
    Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026
  • The wheels glide smoothly and quietly, and the telescopic handle extends and retracts seamlessly—even when the case is fully packed.
    Charley Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Gavrilovska reflects on Pynchon’s long career and his interest in writing about systems, how his time as a technical writer at Boeing informs his work, his classic novels Gravity’s Rainbow and The Crying of Lot 49, and his new novel, Shadow Ticket.
    Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Luna, the latest in Norwegian’s Prima Plus Class, takes inspiration from space – a theme that informs the design, amenities and programming.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Build buffer time, trim one commitment, then return to the itinerary with even gentler expectations and a simpler packing list.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Parents, guardians, aunts and uncles don't have time to read every book on the shelf while trying to pick something for the young reader in their life, so here are some simple ways to determine if a book is suitable for that child.
    Cody Godwin, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Hands-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hands-down. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.

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