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
-
Try the West Fork of Oak Creek hike for a daylong adventure (with 11 rivers to cross), Broken Arrow Trail for an easier (yet no less scenic) stroll, or Boynton Vista Trail, which takes you to the Kachina Woman rock formation, one of the town’s four vortexes.—
Annie Daly,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The Falcons put to bed any notion of an easy ride for Boise State early in the game.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The most eye-catching part, however, is definitely a large flower made of fabric that sprouts out of the shoulder.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Coming off the bench for Leo and stepping onto the court on the big stage at state, Elon Henderson definitely felt some nerves.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The school was clearly labeled as such in online maps and has an easily accessible website full of information about students, teachers and administrators.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
-
But Radcliffe wasn’t so easily put off.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Set in the heart of Charleston’s historic district just steps from King Street, the property feels grand in every sense of the word, from its smooth marble floors and winding staircase to its glittering chandeliers and sheer number of rooms (434, to be exact).—
Annie Daly,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The cake’s exterior is cloaked in smooth buttercream icing that clings to the fork, while the generous dusting of coconut flakes adds a gentle crackle with each mouthful.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Stack is the sly and cunning one, chatty and quick to grin, unlike his brother, yet certainly with things weighing on him as well.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Sometimes the coat is the outfit, and this one certainly meets the moment.—
Minty Mellon,
Vogue,
16 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Detention is the middle step that must run smoothly in order for the growing number of ICE officers to continue making arrests.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Mar. 2026
-
As stage manager, Yen serves as the leader of our production team, overseeing backstage operations, coordinating technical elements, and ensuring that each production runs smoothly.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Texas Wesleyan also launched a course available to all students led by Chandler that informs them about the Main Street project and how to get involved with planning and the advisory board.—
Samuel O’Neal
March 10,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Ultimately, that informs the shape and the style.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Engineers have developed a simple strategy to help robots remain stable while repairing satellites in orbit by using a second robotic arm to counterbalance movements.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Don’t be afraid to suggest budget caps for group plans, because everyone relaxes when guidelines are simple and visible.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hands-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hands-down. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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