as in advantage
the more favorable condition or position in a competition
finally gained the upper hand in the argument
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 upper hand
The sellers have the slight upper hand as the major indices test import long term areas of support.
—
Adam Sarhan, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
So that gave us an opportunity to gain more of an upper hand on the fire.
—Stepheny Price, Fox News, 23 Jan. 2025
Yankees like Volpe, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt and Austin Wells will perhaps have an early upper hand with the new bats.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 31 Mar. 2025
For the moment, Turkey has gained the strong upper hand in the current outcome, and Russia, in its hasty retreat, has suffered a devastating loss.
—Natasha Hall, Foreign Affairs, 9 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for upper hand
Adam Sarhan, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
So that gave us an opportunity to gain more of an upper hand on the fire.
—Stepheny Price, Fox News, 23 Jan. 2025
Yankees like Volpe, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt and Austin Wells will perhaps have an early upper hand with the new bats.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 31 Mar. 2025
For the moment, Turkey has gained the strong upper hand in the current outcome, and Russia, in its hasty retreat, has suffered a devastating loss.
—Natasha Hall, Foreign Affairs, 9 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for upper hand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upper hand
Noun
-
But there are advantages to working for a streamer.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
18 June 2025
-
Marchand’s third line had a clear advantage over anything the Oilers brought in the bottom six.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
Like Squid Game, The Prisoner beguiles the viewer by turning traditional symbols of familiar, homegrown calm (in this case, an idyllic seaside town) into disorientating weapons that keep the characters on a knife's edge.—
Rory Doherty,
Time,
27 June 2025
-
Cook, undisturbed, until pancake edges are dry and bubbles begin to form on surface, about 3 minutes.—
Elizabeth Nelson,
Southern Living,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
On the road - Drive in the middle lanes and stay on high ground.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
22 June 2025
-
What better way to claim an ersatz high ground by smearing the opposition as in league with evil?—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
15 June 2025
Noun
-
Operating in such a variable market requires local and regional expertise, as lenders with boots on the ground often have an inside track on conditions and opportunities unique to a specific community and properties.—
Sam Sidhu,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Operating in such a variable market requires local and regional expertise, as lenders with boots on the ground often have an inside track on conditions and opportunities unique to a specific community and properties.—
Sam Sidhu,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Upper hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upper%20hand. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share