hands-down 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of hands-downnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hands down

2 of 3

adverb

ˈhan(d)z-ˈdau̇n How to pronounce hands down (audio)
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

hands down

3 of 3

verb

present tense third-person singular of hand down
1
as in passes (down)

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in kithes

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Dissimilar 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-down
Adjective
But, hands-down, punter Matt Araiza spent bye week in the most uniquely romantic way … in the shadows of Egyptian pyramids. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026 This is hands-down the ultimate all-in-one party machine in its price bracket. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026 Splatoon Raiders is really enjoyable, hands-down, and as the developers have put it, full of ‘pleasant busyness’. — Mitch Wallace, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Best Restaurants Shift Kitchen & Bar A hands-down favorite for Marquess is Shift, which has been recognized by the James Beard Foundation and has a menu that includes family-style plates and a beloved dessert menu. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026 The hands-down highlight, though, is The Point, a spectacular circular building with a Spanish restaurant downstairs and an infinity pool with a swim-up bar upstairs. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 June 2026 This is my all-time favorite Jane Austen novel—and hands-down favorite literary love story. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 10 June 2026 But Ramis' best output is hands-down Groundhog Day (1993). — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 8 June 2026 Convenient and effective, at keeping your beverages cool, yes, but the worst part about most coolers is hands-down the bulkiness. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hands-down
  1. easy
  2. definitely
  3. easily
  4. informs
  5. smooth
  6. certainly
  7. smoothly
  8. notifies
Adjective
  • Change that one part, then see whether the rest becomes easier.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 4 Nov. 2026
  • There are even conveyor belts to ferry folks up steep inclines – which also makes some of China's most beautiful views easier to reach for those less physically able.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of easy
Adverb
  • Lipa's Chanel couture suit and matching hat were definitely the stars of the show, so wearing her hair long and loose would have competed with the statement-making ensemble.
    — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 30 Oct. 2026
  • But when looking at the postcodes in our data, there’s definitely a pull to the west and southwest as a primary.
    — Elektra Kotsoni, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of definitely
Adverb
  • Called Sichuan, the Type 076 vessel can easily help operate stealth drones using it as a large maritime combat platform.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
  • What Florida would be choosing School vaccination requirements help communities establish herd immunity, which is when enough people are vaccinated to prevent a disease from easily spreading.
    — Katrine L. Wallace, The Conversation, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of easily
Verb
  • As the search for Sita continues, Hanuman assumes a leading role in locating her in Lanka and informs Rama of her captivity.
    — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Conservation also informs another part of the company’s purpose.
    — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of informs
Adjective
  • That means arbitrary Drake covers and Max B homages, smooth ballads on smashing cougars and dirty macking.
    — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Sorrells congratulated Burks on her victory and said his office will work with her to ensure a smooth transition.
    — Emerson Clarridge Updated November 3, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of smooth
Adverb
  • That certainly tells the story of our frustration in the position.
    — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026
  • With almost nothing else to talk about, however, the Vicki-versus-Carmella drama will almost certainly make up the bulk of the reunion, which premieres on Thursday and has been limited (rather tellingly) to two parts.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of certainly
Adverb
  • Strike team leader Jamie Callahan will work to ensure state agencies are cooperating with local governments and LA28 so the Games run smoothly.
    — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The Nordic deterrence cluster also functions smoothly within NATO’s collective defense framework.
    — Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of smoothly
Verb
  • Kiar urged residents in South Florida with elderly family members to monitor their relatives' finances and enroll in the free Owner Alert program, which notifies property owners whenever a deed transaction occurs.
    — Joan Murray, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The school then notifies the borough safety director and Project Open Arms, a citywide initiative responding to new immigrant students and their families.
    — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of notifies

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Cite this Entry

“Hands-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hands-down. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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