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
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
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Boomsma said any traits the ants have evolved are adaptations driven by natural selection, and creating fitter hybrid workers provided a competitive advantage, allowing Iberian harvester ants to extend their range vastly.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
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The Wave now hold a 6-2-1 advantage in the all-time regular season series.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The attack was widely condemned in the Middle East and beyond as an act that could escalate tensions in a region already on edge.—
Jarrett Renshaw,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
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On the other hand, edge computing will gain, too.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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On the road - Drive in the middle lanes and stay on high ground.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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On the road - Drive in the middle lanes and stay on high ground.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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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
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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 17 Sep. 2025.
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