as in advantage
the more favorable condition or position in a competition
finally gained the upper hand in the argument
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of upper hand
This is particularly so for tailored clothing, where menswear has enjoyed an enduring upper hand.
—
Julian Randall, Essence, 9 Jan. 2025
Russia had the clear upper hand in Syria, and Erdogan saw no choice but to work with President Vladimir Putin.
—Gonul Tol, Foreign Affairs, 11 Dec. 2024
And the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime only strengthens Israel’s upper hand over Iran.
—Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024
Democrat wins in final Senate race call but Republicans keep upper hand.
—Fox News, 12 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for upper hand 
Julian Randall, Essence, 9 Jan. 2025
Russia had the clear upper hand in Syria, and Erdogan saw no choice but to work with President Vladimir Putin.
—Gonul Tol, Foreign Affairs, 11 Dec. 2024
And the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime only strengthens Israel’s upper hand over Iran.
—Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024
Democrat wins in final Senate race call but Republicans keep upper hand.
—Fox News, 12 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for upper hand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upper hand
Noun
-
Another avenue for lawsuits against non-generative AI use is legal protections for trade secrets; trade secrets, which provide a competitive business advantage, are not known or shared with the public and reflect efforts designed to keep information secret.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
18 Feb. 2025
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As industries across manufacturing, energy, and logistics embrace this transformation, the stakes for competitive advantage have never been higher.—
Peter Bendor-Samuel,
Forbes,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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There was a pervasive sense of indignation from current and former European officials, who have funneled significant aid to Ukraine and are deeply worried about how a ceasefire deal could impact the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) eastern edge.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
15 Feb. 2025
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The Pirates got to almost every loose ball and played with an edge that was nowhere to be found for the Huskies.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Critically, Israel established strategic control over the Syrian side of Mount Hermon, a strategic high ground at the base of the Anti-Lebanon mountains that was part of the lands of the Tribe of Manasseh in Ancient Israel.—
Bassem Eid,
New York Daily News,
2 Jan. 2025
-
The Spanish government sent emergency alerts on Tuesday asking people to stay indoors or seek high ground.—
Sophie Tanno,
CNN,
31 Oct. 2024
Noun
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The difference is the unique arena of college recruitment, where the best programs have an inside track to secure commitments from the nation’s best prospects each year.—
Jeff Rueter,
The Athletic,
8 Feb. 2025
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That’s why most of us are intrigued to hear about the new consumer-facing devices and developments coming from the tech industry—and no one has a better inside track on that information than the members of Forbes Technology Council.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
16 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near upper hand
Cite this Entry
“Upper hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upper%20hand. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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