UPPER HAND Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

upper hand

noun

Definition of upper hand

as in advantage

the more favorable condition or position in a competition finally gained the upper hand in the argument

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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

Noun

For all its trials and tribulations, Chicagoland retains enviable advantages vis-a-vis other metro areas, but its growth over more than a decade seriously lags many of those peer regions.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
Morgan Suarez kicked a 46-yard field goal eight minutes later and added one from 32 yards to start the second quarter for a 13-0 advantage.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of advantage

Noun

Diaby intercepted a pass in the attacking third, raced to the edge of the penalty box and blasted a rising shot into the net to cap the scoring in the 63rd minute.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026
In places at low to moderate risk of fire, along the edges of flat valleys and lazy hills, growth in the FAIR Plan is ballooning, and it is being used to underwrite new suburban development.

— Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 20 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

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“Upper hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upper%20hand. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of upper hand

noun

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