invisible hand

noun

: a hypothetical economic force that in a freely competitive market works for the benefit of all

Examples of invisible hand in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Any invisible hand that impacts the game is created by smaller decisions along the way that mysteriously, or in this case not so mysteriously, play a role in the outcome. Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2025 Such state interventions have arguably been as decisive as the invisible hand of the market in lifting living standards. Miatta Fahnbulleh, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2019 Some argue that caste has become a sort of invisible hand, still shaping the everyday lives of Indians. Sushmita Pathak, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Mar. 2025 In order to realize his near-term goals, Xi has abandoned the invisible hand of the market and forged an economic system that relies on state actors to reach predetermined objectives. Jude Blanchette, Foreign Affairs, 22 June 2021 See All Example Sentences for invisible hand

Word History

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of invisible hand was in 1759

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Cite this Entry

“Invisible hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/invisible%20hand. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

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