as in advantage
the more favorable condition or position in a competition
finally gained the upper hand in the argument
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Recent Examples of upper hand
This history shows that buying territory in the Arctic has been a longstanding practice for geopolitical rivals struggling to gain an upper hand and ensure their own defense.
—
James Patton Rogers & Caroline Kennedy Pipe / Made By History , TIME, 23 Jan. 2025
Related Articles Firefighters gain upper hand after 80-acre Bonsall fire forces evacuations in California
Editorial: Colorado’s new last-resort insurance company shares a name with California’s.
—Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2025
Liberals will hope that recent shifts in the electorate, along with a potential reaction to Trump, can once again give them an upper hand this year.
—Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 6 Jan. 2025
Winds poised to intensify, complicating LA wildfire battle Efforts to gain an upper hand against the deadly infernos continue into Monday amid ominous new wind warnings threatening Southern California communities.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upper hand
James Patton Rogers & Caroline Kennedy Pipe / Made By History , TIME, 23 Jan. 2025
Related Articles Firefighters gain upper hand after 80-acre Bonsall fire forces evacuations in California
Editorial: Colorado’s new last-resort insurance company shares a name with California’s.
—Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2025
Liberals will hope that recent shifts in the electorate, along with a potential reaction to Trump, can once again give them an upper hand this year.
—Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 6 Jan. 2025
Winds poised to intensify, complicating LA wildfire battle Efforts to gain an upper hand against the deadly infernos continue into Monday amid ominous new wind warnings threatening Southern California communities.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upper hand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upper hand
Noun
-
The Stars finished with a 50-26-6 record, edging out Colorado for second in the division and home ice advantage in this series.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Even as Liverpool have spluttered and stuttered, Mikel Arteta’s side have doggedly refused to take advantage, declining to ignite the thing as a contest.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But Nungesser argues a better option is to strengthen the Mississippi River's flow by filling crevasses along the river's edge that have widened over the years.—
Kati Weis,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Beane took three cornerbacks, two defensive tackles and edge rusher Landon Jackson.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
On the road - Drive in the middle lanes and stay on high ground.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Apr. 2025
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On the road - Drive in the middle lanes and stay on high ground.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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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
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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 May. 2025.
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