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
Because also at that point Jamie — not that there is an upper hand — but has had the upper hand over Anna.
—
Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 3 Aug. 2025
Yesterday, Trump told reporters on Air Force One that China was holding up the sale, suggesting that China may have an upper hand in TikTok negotiations, and perhaps TikTok is losing its sheen as a US bargaining chip in Trump's bigger trade war.
—ArsTechnica, 18 June 2025
Many argue that spending money in a game gives an upper hand to those who don’t, resulting in an unbalanced in-game experience.
—Bartosz Skwarczek, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
But instead, Beijing exploited this opening to consolidate control, get rich, and gain the economic upper hand over other countries.
—A. Wess Mitchell, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upper hand
Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 3 Aug. 2025
Yesterday, Trump told reporters on Air Force One that China was holding up the sale, suggesting that China may have an upper hand in TikTok negotiations, and perhaps TikTok is losing its sheen as a US bargaining chip in Trump's bigger trade war.
—ArsTechnica, 18 June 2025
Many argue that spending money in a game gives an upper hand to those who don’t, resulting in an unbalanced in-game experience.
—Bartosz Skwarczek, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
But instead, Beijing exploited this opening to consolidate control, get rich, and gain the economic upper hand over other countries.
—A. Wess Mitchell, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upper hand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upper hand
Noun
-
An August poll from Roanoke College found Spanberger with a 46%-39% lead, while the RealClearPolitics average of polls shows her with the same 7-point advantage.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The totemic power of Apple is running out of time to reset expectations around AI to its own advantage.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
On the southwestern side of the fire, hand crews and dozers began building new containment lines along Sycamore Ridge Road to prevent the westward spread of the fire from the Dinkey Creek drainage and cut the fire off close to its active edge.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The base stores up to three tools, including a corner cleaner and an edge sweeper.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
On the road - Drive in the middle lanes and stay on high ground.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
5 Sep. 2025
-
On the road - Drive in the middle lanes and stay on high ground.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Arshdeep Bains is no longer waiver exempt and would seem to have an inside track at earning a roster spot.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Wide receiver Josh Moore: The West Broward alumnus is another local product who has an inside track to produce early in his Hurricanes tenure.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
2 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Upper hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upper%20hand. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share