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
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 over
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
Other units in the building have traded hands over the last few decades to and from buyers with no Epstein associations.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 13 Feb. 2026
Using a clean pair, lightly dampen them with water and run your hands over the carpet.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Jan. 2026
Sure, the Pittsburgh Steelers coach could wring his hands over the impossibly thin line between victory and defeat, one his team received an up-close look at yet again in a riveting 26-24 win over Baltimore on Sunday night that clinched Pittsburgh's first AFC North title in five years.
—CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
Ellis then asked a new citizen from Syria to lead the Pledge of Allegiance as the group rose and placed their hands over their hearts.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
Arthur also hands over Roman's backpack, which Major Crimes investigates.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Yesavage’s father cupped two hands over his mouth and yelled from the crowd.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
These agencies use a courier who physically hands over the documentation and can provide additional details on where your passport is in the process.
—AFAR Media, 23 Sep. 2025
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Mar. 2026
Other units in the building have traded hands over the last few decades to and from buyers with no Epstein associations.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 13 Feb. 2026
Using a clean pair, lightly dampen them with water and run your hands over the carpet.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Jan. 2026
Sure, the Pittsburgh Steelers coach could wring his hands over the impossibly thin line between victory and defeat, one his team received an up-close look at yet again in a riveting 26-24 win over Baltimore on Sunday night that clinched Pittsburgh's first AFC North title in five years.
—CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
Ellis then asked a new citizen from Syria to lead the Pledge of Allegiance as the group rose and placed their hands over their hearts.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
Arthur also hands over Roman's backpack, which Major Crimes investigates.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Yesavage’s father cupped two hands over his mouth and yelled from the crowd.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
These agencies use a courier who physically hands over the documentation and can provide additional details on where your passport is in the process.
—AFAR Media, 23 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hands over
Verb
-
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
-
Or, this versatile, lightweight neck pillow from Trtl is much less bulky than your average option but still provides support by keeping your neck upright while padding it.—
Kristin Braswell,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Bluehost provides a more streamlined, beginner-friendly experience owing to its Wondersuite website creation tools.—
Gabriel Zamora,
PC Magazine,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As for the government’s retreat on electric vehicles, who knows why Americans won’t buy an EV unless the government hands them $7,500?—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Another actor, named Alex, turns around and hands me his sides.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The train passes through several pristine natural environments, including the Hudson River, the Adirondack foothills, and Lake Champlain.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
-
But then — for a price — Disney offers various ‘lightning lane’ passes that allow folks to have access to a shorter line or otherwise skip the line with a reservation time.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
First, Maxon's Cinebench 2024 renders a complex scene using the company's Cinema 4D engine.—
Brian Westover,
PC Magazine,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Hong renders these universal conflicts locally specific and intimately personal.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Live Nation’s access to Ticketmaster data gives it a lot of competitive advantages with projecting pricing, which could now include shows that are not its own.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Local original artwork from contemporary Mexican artists lines the walls, custom furniture gives the spaces a stylish touch, and there’s a library with an honor bar that overlooks the peaceful (and oh-so-green) Parque Lincoln.—
Annie Daly,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Still, the privacy inherent in private credit often leaves an information vacuum that observers fill with worst-case scenarios.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Tender’s assets Tender CEO Whitney Halberstram (Max Minghella) engineers the downfall of co-founder Jonah Atterbury (Kal Penn) and eventually leaves Henry holding the bag for the company’s fraud.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Andrew surrenders his Duke of York title.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Peter then surrenders to Catherine, who demands his explanation for going AWOL.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hands over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hands%20over. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
