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
Pants are hands-down my hardest clothing category to shop for. Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 29 Dec. 2025 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 Everyone should visit the Glasgow-meets-Gotham hilltop Necropolis and mosh at a gig at the Barrowland Ballroom—hands-down the country’s best live music venue—while there’s no better place to go gourmet than in Finnieston (rejoice while eating at The Gannet or, UNALOME by Graeme Cheevers). Mike MacEacheran, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2025 How to Get Around Renting a car is hands-down the easiest way to explore the peninsula. Alexandra Emanuelli, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025 But the hands-down star of the museum’s largest show space is the de Havilland DH106 1A Comet. Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hands-down
Adjective
  • In October 2023, Jemma DeCristo tweeted on social media there’s easy access to Zionist journalists who spread propaganda and misinformation.
    Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
  • HotHands Hand Warmers are a convenient and easy way to stay warm and provide a boost of heat without taking extra layers.
    Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2026
Adverb
  • Tankaneo Double-Breasted Cropped Trench My number-one petite fashion hack is to buy cropped styles that’ll be full-length on my shorter frame, and this trench definitely delivers.
    Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
  • That's definitely a skeleton crew, as the current nominal crew size for the ISS is seven.
    Mike Wall, Space.com, 10 Jan. 2026
Adverb
  • Polka dots bring visual interest without overwhelming a look, pairing easily with solid staples.
    Gabrielle Porcaro, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
  • If the dollar bill pulls out easily, the gasket needs to be replaced.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The wide waistband, which stays in place without feeling constricting, has a seamless design for a smooth look.
    Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
  • Martha Stewart is 84 years old and has some of the most enviable, smooth, radiant, and seemingly pore-free skin.
    Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 11 Jan. 2026
Adverb
  • Jessie Buckley is almost certainly going to win an Oscar come March.
    Radhika Seth, Vogue, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Skinny Pedro must certainly have fallen victim to some kind of sorcery.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
Adverb
  • Although the meeting went smoothly and led to concrete commitments, the bonhomie was strained by uncomfortable questions at a news conference about the issue hanging over the day’s diplomacy.
    Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Their study on the jagged frontier shows that AI capability spikes and dips across activities rather than rising smoothly with difficulty.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The contract also reportedly contains a term stating that the school doesn’t have to enter him into the NCAA transfer portal; ordinarily, a school is obligated under NCAA rules to enter an athlete’s name once the athlete informs the school of their intent to transfer.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 8 Jan. 2026
  • At the heart of this book is unfathomable sorrow that shapes the trajectory of all of her relationships and informs her actions and inactions.
    Shruti Mutalik, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • This simple taupe geometric style peel-and-stick wallpaper is affordable, easy to apply, and looks gorgeous without being too bold or loud.
    Brittney Morgan, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2026
  • The simple addition of zipper detailing adds a preppy energy to the top.
    Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 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 13 Jan. 2026.

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