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
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
Kiefer Sherwood continues his dream breakout season Colorado had the clear upper hand in controlling the flow of play and generating chances through the first 20 minutes.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 11 Apr. 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
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
See All Example Sentences for upper hand
Bartosz Skwarczek, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Kiefer Sherwood continues his dream breakout season Colorado had the clear upper hand in controlling the flow of play and generating chances through the first 20 minutes.
—Harman Dayal, New York Times, 11 Apr. 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
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
See All Example Sentences for upper hand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upper hand
Noun
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Do rules reflect actual AI usage patterns among teens? Equity Access: Can all students access the same AI tools, or do policies create advantages for families with premium subscriptions?—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
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The teams are ranked third and fourth in the Western Conference standings, with Minnesota holding a three-point advantage with 41 points.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Wilson’s experience gives him the edge on the No. 2 role, but Ewers, a 2025 seventh-round pick, has been one of camp’s pleasant surprises, and that should earn the former Texas starter a spot on the 53-man roster.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 Aug. 2025
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Back to the top of the order, Jurickson Profar got a changeup on the outside edge of the zone and lined it to left field for a double.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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For years, California Democrats have held up the state’s independent redistricting commission as proof of their moral high ground.—
Lance Christensen,
Oc Register,
22 Aug. 2025
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Disability follows no narrative arc, has no inherent meaning, confers no moral high ground, and is meted out at random.—
Sophia Stewart,
The Atlantic,
18 Aug. 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 27 Aug. 2025.
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