upper hand

noun

Definition of upper handnext
as in advantage
the more favorable condition or position in a competition finally gained the upper hand in the argument

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 If a handful of contenders recruit the 35-year-old Montenegrin, his friendship with Jokic should give Denver an upper hand. — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 29 May 2026 Pollsters say that trend means the GOP could maintain a slight upper hand in state capitals heading into the fall. — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 18 May 2026 The Virginia measure became a turning point, Jeffries’ biggest swing yet, putting Democrats essentially at parity, if not a potential upper hand in the number of seats gained, and shifting Old Dominion more securely into the party’s column. — Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026 The Virginia measure became a turning point, Jeffries' biggest swing yet, putting Democrats essentially at parity, if not a potential upper hand in the number of seats gained, and shifting Old Dominion more securely into the party’s column. — ABC News, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for upper hand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upper hand
  1. advantage
  2. edge
  3. high ground
Noun
  • Galatasaray squandered a 5-2 first-leg lead against Juventus in last season’s knockout play-off round, despite having a man advantage for most of the game.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Podded propulsion offers particular advantages in this environment.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of advantage
Noun
  • The Eagles were not as dominant in 2025, partly due to the regression of the depth in their secondary and the injuries sustained at edge rusher.
    — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The facilities would include what’s known as an edge computing data center, which typically is much smaller than traditional data centers and which Global Stack says would require lower utility use and no municipal water connection.
    — Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of edge
Noun
  • Given its extensive objections to implementing these kinds of policies in the past, the letter is a transparent effort at attempting to turn the settlement into an opportunity to claim moral high ground.
    — Nathaniel Lubin, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026
  • According to the study, the resulting uplift would have created steep terrain and high ground that could be intensely eroded over long periods.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of high ground

Browse Nearby Words

uppercuts
upper hand
upper hands
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Upper hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upper%20hand. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

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