hand over 1 of 2

1
as in to relinquish
to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress the police officer ordered the suspect to hand over his weapons

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2
as in to provide
to put (something) into the possession of someone for use or consumption in response to a desperate plea, we handed over all our extra blankets and pillows to the homeless shelter

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3
4
as in to pass
to shift possession of (something) from one person to another hand over that screwdriver, will you please?

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handover

2 of 2

noun

as in surrender
the usually forced yielding of one's person or possessions to the control of another though the handover of my wallet was painful, it was better than getting shot by some trigger-happy punk

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hand over
Verb
  • Jones is not relinquishing his strong negotiating position Jones and Parsons would meet in March to discuss the linebacker’s role on the team going forward.
    Steve Silverman, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2025
  • While a strong federal government may be central to the Democratic Party's identity, maintaining that objective likely requires relinquishing control from the capital and encouraging state politicos to explore new ways to achieve success.
    Alex J. Rouhandeh, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • One Big Beautiful Bill Act expected to slow EV growth The Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) passed in August 2022 provided tax credits, subsidies and incentives for the purchasing and manufacturing of EVs and their charging facilities.
    Jillian Magtoto, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2025
  • Like in any team sport, leaders of business teams must be able to identify and develop talent, while providing sound mentoring.
    Mark LaSota, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The non-profit news outlet The City reported the encounter late Wednesday, Aug. 20, a few hours after Winnie Greco allegedly handed an open bag of Herr's sour cream and onion rippled potato chips to journalist Katie Honan following a Harlem campaign event.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Wash hands thoroughly after handling reptiles, and change clothes before picking up a child.
    John Drake, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Because lose-lose situations are so endemic to the genre, a hint of relief can sometimes accompany the prospect of surrender to the putrefying mob.
    Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2025
  • The bombs decimated both cities, leading to Japan’s surrender on Aug. 15, 1945, and later the end of World War II.
    Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The gauzy, dark concerts from (famously) Nirvana, Sinéad O’Connor, and Alicia Keys render the operatic intimate, and highlight good tunes in a way stadium polish just can’t.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 22 Aug. 2025
  • The no-confidence motion is rendered void, and Dalton is reinstated as PM.
    Jack King, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Osaka, still in her prime, gave birth in 2023 and returned in 2024.
    Christine Michel Carter, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
  • Business outlet TheStreet reported that stores had been given a grace period to implement the change that ends Aug. 31.
    James Powel, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Sunglasses and water bottles were strung out around campus during the chaos, leaving a crowded, makeshift lost and found table.
    Shane Brennan, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
  • Detroit doesn’t need recycled ideas or the same politics that have left too many neighborhoods behind.
    Dana Afana, Freep.com, 23 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • For decades, scientists assumed these calls were just about male competition or female submission.
    Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Any questions about submissions or the upcoming list should be directed to TopCPAs@forbes.com Steel Rose, CPA is a senior editor who covers accounting, with a frequent focus on recognizing the top practicing CPAs in America in addition to investigating stories about audit failures.
    Steel Rose, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Hand over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand%20over. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.

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