1
as in control
the ability to direct the course of something
the final decision is in your hands
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in enjoyment
the fact or state of having (something) at one's disposal
I'd like to get my hands on that vintage Cadillac convertible
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in provides
to put (something) into the possession of someone for use or consumption
was happy to hand her grandmother's cookie recipes to the parish ladies to put in their cookbook
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in passes
to shift possession of (something) from one person to another
the clerk handed her the receipt
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in leaves
to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another
handed me her bundles while she fished for her house keys
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hands
R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 26 May 2026
But the 5-foot-11, 229-pounder still packed a punch with his hands.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2026
Still, this murder emerged from a setting where some people endured violence and slavery at the hands of others.
—Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
Your hands are another way to pick up on hydration cues.
—Sophia Dyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 May 2026
The squad congregated outside the dressing room, slapping hands and hugging each other.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 25 May 2026
The following week on May 23, Kyle shared more photos with his wife on Instagram, including a selfie of them holding up ultrasound photos and a candid shot of them holding hands during their wedding.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026
Staying healthy often involves preventative steps like washing your hands, eating nutritious foods, and getting plenty of sleep.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 25 May 2026
Immediately rub your hands with olive oil to remove most of the capsaicin, and then wash them thoroughly with soap and warm water.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 May 2026
Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Santos then walks to the drive-thru window and hands the bag to the customer.
—Drew Pittock, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Someone hands me an invitation to another party for later Saturday night that’s billed to go on until 5am.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 16 May 2026
Jesus Vasquez hands a petition to another student.
—Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 11 May 2026
The partnership hands a big win to OpenAI’s biggest competitor at the peak of Musk’s public feud with OpenAI, and provides a roadmap to where the relationship between Musk and Anthropic could head next.
—Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 6 May 2026
When Mathias heads straight from the airport to a salon-like reception in honor of Elena, the tone of the event is set when a butler hands him a necktie to borrow.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
The vote hands Lula another significant defeat in Congress months before his bid for a fourth nonconsecutive term.
—ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
Judd hands her a gun and tells her to join the executioner’s squad.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
Both girls are high achievers, happy at school and their other activities, but the parents do have their hands full managing the dynamics because one of the girls has a pretty serious anxiety disorder.
—R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 26 May 2026
But the 5-foot-11, 229-pounder still packed a punch with his hands.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2026
Still, this murder emerged from a setting where some people endured violence and slavery at the hands of others.
—Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
Your hands are another way to pick up on hydration cues.
—Sophia Dyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 May 2026
The squad congregated outside the dressing room, slapping hands and hugging each other.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 25 May 2026
The following week on May 23, Kyle shared more photos with his wife on Instagram, including a selfie of them holding up ultrasound photos and a candid shot of them holding hands during their wedding.
—Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 25 May 2026
Staying healthy often involves preventative steps like washing your hands, eating nutritious foods, and getting plenty of sleep.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 25 May 2026
Immediately rub your hands with olive oil to remove most of the capsaicin, and then wash them thoroughly with soap and warm water.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 May 2026
Verb
The Assistance Fund hands nothing back.
—Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Santos then walks to the drive-thru window and hands the bag to the customer.
—Drew Pittock, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Someone hands me an invitation to another party for later Saturday night that’s billed to go on until 5am.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 16 May 2026
Jesus Vasquez hands a petition to another student.
—Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 11 May 2026
The partnership hands a big win to OpenAI’s biggest competitor at the peak of Musk’s public feud with OpenAI, and provides a roadmap to where the relationship between Musk and Anthropic could head next.
—Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 6 May 2026
When Mathias heads straight from the airport to a salon-like reception in honor of Elena, the tone of the event is set when a butler hands him a necktie to borrow.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
The vote hands Lula another significant defeat in Congress months before his bid for a fourth nonconsecutive term.
—ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
Judd hands her a gun and tells her to join the executioner’s squad.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hands
Noun
-
Shoppers swear by the Supa Modern Cooling Pillows to keep night sweats and hot flashes under control.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
-
Each chemical reaction produced even more heat and raised the risk of a process called thermal runaway, when a reaction becomes out of control.—
Iris Kwok,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Sitting close to Warriors guard and Valkyries superfan Brandin Podziemski, not even 3-2 Giants loss could detract from her enjoyment of a beautiful day by the water.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
-
But for your indoor enjoyment, there are hundreds of varieties to choose from.—
Samantha Johnson,
Martha Stewart,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Instability, such as a moist, warm environment that provides the ingredients for a thunderstorm, and wind shear.—
Amy Lavalley,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
The result is a flattering second-skin finish that provides hydration without feeling greasy or heavy.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
The wrasse passes the mirror test, Jordan says—but that doesn’t necessarily mean the fish is self-aware.—
Federica Sgorbissa,
ArsTechnica,
24 May 2026
-
That long journey, which passes through the Ozarks and the woods of East Texas, takes place in total comfort.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
Automating the routine layer of any job — the retrieval, the scheduling, the mechanical assembly — leaves behind work that requires judgment, creativity and autonomy.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
-
Hair tinsel is also offered, and everyone leaves with a swag bag.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Continuously setting industry standards and re-imagining what cruise travel can be, the company manages to maintain its Dutch roots and history while keeping a firm grasp on modern travel trends.—
Claudia Alarcón,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
No one really has a good grasp of … [its] mid- to long-term impact.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
The Aces missed a couple of three-pointers and a free throw on their final possessions while Dearica Hamby and Plum sealed the win with two free throws each.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2026
-
The Mercury's Kahleah Copper hit a 3-pointer on the next possession, cutting their deficit to a point.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Recreate your favorite Diagon Alley scenes with this Lego set, which includes an ice cream parlor, Quidditch supplies store, six mini figures, and several accessories from the franchise.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
23 May 2026
-
The Hemphill plant supplies potable water to homes, retailers and commercial and industrial businesses within the city and parts of south Fulton County.—
Andre Butso,
AJC.com,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hands.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hands. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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