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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of hands
Tonya Simpson, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2025
If the fanbase for the book series is any indication, Mirren has a popular new franchise on her hands.
—H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
By the time the misery was over, Skubal walked toward the dugout, took a hard seat on the bench and clasped his hands.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
The Broncos played all but South Carolina last year and enjoyed mixed results — a 5-0 loss at the hands of eventual national champions TCU was accompanied by a pair of victories over Arizona (3-2, 3-2), and one loss apiece against Arizona State (3-2) and Florida State (4-1).
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 24 Sep. 2025
The girls were found dead on June 2 with plastic bags over their heads and evidence that their hands had been zip-tied near their father's truck.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
One week later, they were seen holding hands once again following a dinner in Los Angeles.
—Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
The Friends alum wore a matching black ensemble with the taupe leather crossbody bag, keeping her hands free while walking in New York City last month.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 24 Sep. 2025
These wearables blend moving analog watch hands with a screen.
—Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025
The lift test starts when a person hands the robot a plastic storage container filled with houseplants.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2025
Mars in Scorpio hands us the tools.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 21 Sep. 2025
Chase Jenkins #4 of the Rice Owls hands the ball to Quinton Jackson #10 during the game against the Houston Cougars at Rice Stadium on September 06, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
For example, someone offers you a step stool and hands you the light bulb.
—Melanie Draheim, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
The scandal also hands fresh ammunition to Nigel Farage’s far-right Reform Party, which is already leading in the polls.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Myke hands her her acoustic guitar and gives her a kiss.
—Allison P. Davis, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025
Prater hands Dexter a knife to facilitate Batista’s slaying.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
Htoo managed to wrestle the knife away from his attacker, but not before sustaining deep lacerations to his shoulder, neck and hands.
—Tonya Simpson, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2025
If the fanbase for the book series is any indication, Mirren has a popular new franchise on her hands.
—H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
By the time the misery was over, Skubal walked toward the dugout, took a hard seat on the bench and clasped his hands.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
The Broncos played all but South Carolina last year and enjoyed mixed results — a 5-0 loss at the hands of eventual national champions TCU was accompanied by a pair of victories over Arizona (3-2, 3-2), and one loss apiece against Arizona State (3-2) and Florida State (4-1).
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 24 Sep. 2025
The girls were found dead on June 2 with plastic bags over their heads and evidence that their hands had been zip-tied near their father's truck.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
One week later, they were seen holding hands once again following a dinner in Los Angeles.
—Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
The Friends alum wore a matching black ensemble with the taupe leather crossbody bag, keeping her hands free while walking in New York City last month.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 24 Sep. 2025
These wearables blend moving analog watch hands with a screen.
—Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
Strong secondary Single-digit jersey numbers are so coveted that Lewis hands them out personally rather than leaving it to SDSU’s equipment manager.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025
The lift test starts when a person hands the robot a plastic storage container filled with houseplants.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2025
Mars in Scorpio hands us the tools.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 21 Sep. 2025
Chase Jenkins #4 of the Rice Owls hands the ball to Quinton Jackson #10 during the game against the Houston Cougars at Rice Stadium on September 06, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
For example, someone offers you a step stool and hands you the light bulb.
—Melanie Draheim, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
The scandal also hands fresh ammunition to Nigel Farage’s far-right Reform Party, which is already leading in the polls.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Myke hands her her acoustic guitar and gives her a kiss.
—Allison P. Davis, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025
Prater hands Dexter a knife to facilitate Batista’s slaying.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hands
Noun
-
Some of that was out of Gibson’s control as the Ducks’ defense eroded in front of him.—
The Athletic NHL,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Beginning October 12, 2025, the 29 nations of the European Schengen Area will start phasing out the stamping of travel documents and instead will switch to a new digital Entry/Exit System (EES), which the European Union argues will accelerate border-control processes and improve security.—
Bailey Berg,
AFAR Media,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Throughout the entire performance, the band explored visual enjoyment as well, using open-reel tape decks, CRT display drums, and electric fan harps, delivering a large-scale show that shook the entire venue, relentlessly building the crowd’s excitement.—
Billboard Japan,
Billboard,
25 Sep. 2025
-
There’s his loyalty, sure, but also this other flicker; some enjoyment, some sense of being alive.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The former gives concrete structure to Trump’s older ideas to develop the Gaza Strip as a real estate venture; the latter provides a framework for an international military force that would police the strip for the foreseeable future.—
Asher Kaufman,
The Conversation,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Powerback Rehabilitation, which provides services at Town Village retirement community in Leawood, challenged the broad religious exemption by suing the Kansas Department of Labor.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But Democrats want a deal now, and Republicans say nothing can happen until their bill passes.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
30 Sep. 2025
-
As Imelda passes near Bermuda, 2 to 4 inches — 50 to 100 mm — of rainfall is expected from Wednesday into Thursday.—
MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Pros Leaf raking is quiet, so there are no time constraints; Collecting leaves manually not only avoids disturbing neighbors or wildlife, is also does not cause air pollution.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Sep. 2025
-
So, that leaves two positions, and there’s a good chance they’ll be filled by offseason acquisitions.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Fellow defensive tackle Daron Payne missed another on Atlanta’s subsequent series, and Jacob Martin let Robinson slip through his grasp on a second-and-1 run that turned into a four-yard gain.—
Nicki Jhabvala,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
However, with the game largely out of grasp before the first series of the second half, Hubbard and Dowdle continued to take a backseat on offense.—
Mike Kaye
September 28,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Protect your property and possessions from fire, theft, and other unexpected perils.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
-
His record includes larceny, theft, and marijuana possession, the agency said.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In college football, each team supplies the footballs for when its offense is on the field.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
The players were prepared to give Jones whatever emotional support was needed, just as Jones supplies that type of passion to the defense.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hands.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hands. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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