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
When David Cordani hands over the title of Cigna CEO to Brian Evanko on July 1, the triathlete will be ending the longest leadership run of any of his industry peers.
—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 19 June 2026
Skip housekeeping for the day and the hotel hands over an $8 credit at Komyuniti.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Buttons, touch screens, cards, and casino chips pass through countless hands over the course of a sailing.
—Kristy Tolley, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026
Anna eventually hands over the gun.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
Suarez offered no physical resistance throughout the encounter, and balled up with his hands over his head as DeMaio struck him, according to a law enforcement source.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
These are not simply attentive and thoughtful touches, the kind of service that hands over a box of matches on a silver tray—staff are emotionally invested in the place and most have been with Shakti for over 10 years, so their sense of hospitality is unforced and from the heart.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Apple is turning a page as CEO Tim Cook hands over the reins to successor John Ternus, marking only the second leadership transition since Steve Jobs.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
But the Dodgers bundled up, fought off the chill by scoring runs in each of the first five innings and warmed their hands over a 7-1 defeat of the Colorado Rockies.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 18 Apr. 2026
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 19 June 2026
Skip housekeeping for the day and the hotel hands over an $8 credit at Komyuniti.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Buttons, touch screens, cards, and casino chips pass through countless hands over the course of a sailing.
—Kristy Tolley, Travel + Leisure, 13 June 2026
Anna eventually hands over the gun.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
Suarez offered no physical resistance throughout the encounter, and balled up with his hands over his head as DeMaio struck him, according to a law enforcement source.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
These are not simply attentive and thoughtful touches, the kind of service that hands over a box of matches on a silver tray—staff are emotionally invested in the place and most have been with Shakti for over 10 years, so their sense of hospitality is unforced and from the heart.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Apple is turning a page as CEO Tim Cook hands over the reins to successor John Ternus, marking only the second leadership transition since Steve Jobs.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
But the Dodgers bundled up, fought off the chill by scoring runs in each of the first five innings and warmed their hands over a 7-1 defeat of the Colorado Rockies.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 18 Apr. 2026
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
-
Under them, a chatbot must not be able to interact with someone under 18 unless it is programmed against encouraging self-destructive behavior and provides parents with tools to manage the child’s use.—
Marc Levy,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
-
Palliative care, which provides medical and emotional support to patients at the end of their lives, is a relatively new concept, arising only in the 1960s.—
Sophie Neiman,
NPR,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Picking tomorrow’s outfit tonight, when no clock is running, hands your morning self a decision that is already made.—
Ryan Brennan,
Sacbee.com,
23 June 2026
-
His own ideal already hands workers a fortune.—
Teresa Ghilarducci,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Verb
-
Then this private driveway passes fruit trees, a vineyard, and mature plantings, before finally reaching the impressive colonial that is at the heart of this nearly four-acre country estate at 46 Andrews Road in Wolcott.—
James Alexander,
Hartford Courant,
21 June 2026
-
While there are no rideshare services available in Cannon Beach, there is a NW Connector bus route that runs multiple stops in town, with three-day passes available for $25 or seven-day passes for $30.—
Molly Allen,
Travel + Leisure,
21 June 2026
Verb
-
Aside from the gorgeous photos of Clooney’s shiny hair, reviewers with all types of hair confirm the shampoo renders great results.—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
18 June 2026
-
That production always and everywhere buys production is what renders bitcoin the opposite of money.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
The twisting barrel easily clamps to hair (without pulling) and gives you long-lasting curls for up to two days.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
23 June 2026
-
What gives these companies confidence that non-invasive approaches to telepathy will prove viable, when this has never before been possible?—
Rob Toews,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2026
Verb
-
That leaves an interesting two-by-two decision at stake.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 June 2026
-
That leaves little time for work, which can pose an additional financial burden.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
The ayatollahs won’t make any deal that surrenders their nuclear program.—
Rob Crilly,
The Washington Examiner,
22 May 2026
-
Alex Murdaugh surrenders Murdaugh turned himself in at the Hampton County Detention Center.—
Marlene Lenthang,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hands over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hands%20over. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
