as in assistance
patient and attentive guidance encouragement, or instruction
New computer users often require a good deal of hand-holding.
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Recent Examples of hand-holding
An in-depth farmer training program on organic agricultural practices would be required, which may need to be supported by a technologically sound hand-holding mechanism, ideally synced with specific Indian regions’ crop calendars.
—
Indrabati Lahiri, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
Lack Of Initiative Startups need self-starters who can tackle challenges without excessive hand-holding.
—Abdo Riani, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Between my parents there was not the slightest gesture of fondness; no hand-holding or sitting close with arms around each other; and hardly ever a kiss.
—Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025
Zanna Clay/Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary Interestingly, this challenges common thought that chimpanzees settle disputes with aggression and hierarchical dominance, and instead display social bonding behavior through acts like grooming and hand-holding.
—New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2025
Unlike Love Island or Too Hot to Handle, the smiles, eye contact and brief hand-holding do all the talking in Single’s Inferno.
—Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
The lack of eye contact, smiles, or hand-holding between the couple, suggesting discomfort.
—Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
Between my parents there was not the slightest gesture of fondness; no hand-holding or sitting close with arms around each other; and hardly ever a kiss.
—Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift are in their hand-holding era!
—Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 15 Oct. 2023
Indrabati Lahiri, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
Lack Of Initiative Startups need self-starters who can tackle challenges without excessive hand-holding.
—Abdo Riani, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Between my parents there was not the slightest gesture of fondness; no hand-holding or sitting close with arms around each other; and hardly ever a kiss.
—Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025
Zanna Clay/Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary Interestingly, this challenges common thought that chimpanzees settle disputes with aggression and hierarchical dominance, and instead display social bonding behavior through acts like grooming and hand-holding.
—New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2025
Unlike Love Island or Too Hot to Handle, the smiles, eye contact and brief hand-holding do all the talking in Single’s Inferno.
—Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
The lack of eye contact, smiles, or hand-holding between the couple, suggesting discomfort.
—Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
Between my parents there was not the slightest gesture of fondness; no hand-holding or sitting close with arms around each other; and hardly ever a kiss.
—Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift are in their hand-holding era!
—Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 15 Oct. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hand-holding
Noun
-
In addition, urgent cases are being referred for emergency cash assistance.—
Sarah Ferguson,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
-
While it’s not meant to replace reporting to your studio’s own HR, having a helpful guide and personal assistance about how to report and next steps in the process can be extremely valuable, especially for those working at small companies or on independent projects who don’t know where to turn.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
Last year’s opportunity, combined with growth that both Mason and legendary 49ers running backs coach Bobby Turner talked about at length, caught the attention of teams like the Vikings.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
-
Some thinkers would envy the attention Yarvin is receiving.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
Netflix will soon end support for older Amazon Fire TV media-streaming devices.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
26 May 2025
-
There's support for Dolby Vision as well as a magic remove, plus easy casting with Google Chromecast or Apple AirPlay.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
26 May 2025
Noun
-
Mellanby’s career numbers: 364 goals and 476 assists in 1,431 regular-season games (tied for 17th all-time).—
Jeff Kleinman,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2025
-
That movement comes with end-product, too: Simons had 10 goals and seven assists in the Bundesliga this season, despite missing two months in the middle of it with an ankle injury.—
Conor O'Neill,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
But in the meantime, those who know her are left to ponder an illness that appears to have consumed the caring mother, in spite of her efforts to get help.—
Laura Crimaldi,
BostonGlobe.com,
13 Feb. 2023
-
Police departments in Carroll County could get help from the state with funding the high cost of outfitting officers with body cameras, if a bill introduced in the Maryland General Assembly is passed.—
Sherry Greenfield,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Feb. 2023
Noun
-
Rebirth, as Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park III, Jurassic World, and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom all land on June 1, and on June 29, a sneak peek of Jurassic World Rebirth hits the streaming service.—
Billie Melissa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
-
The intent of the new memorandum was to redirect individuals who do not require halfway house services to home confinement.—
Walter Pavlo,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hand-holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand-holding. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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