as in advantage
the more favorable condition or position in a competition
finally gained the upper hand in the argument
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Recent Examples of upper hand
This history shows that buying territory in the Arctic has been a longstanding practice for geopolitical rivals struggling to gain an upper hand and ensure their own defense.
—
James Patton Rogers & Caroline Kennedy Pipe / Made By History , TIME, 23 Jan. 2025
Related Articles Firefighters gain upper hand after 80-acre Bonsall fire forces evacuations in California
Editorial: Colorado’s new last-resort insurance company shares a name with California’s.
—Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2025
Liberals will hope that recent shifts in the electorate, along with a potential reaction to Trump, can once again give them an upper hand this year.
—Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 6 Jan. 2025
Winds poised to intensify, complicating LA wildfire battle Efforts to gain an upper hand against the deadly infernos continue into Monday amid ominous new wind warnings threatening Southern California communities.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upper hand
James Patton Rogers & Caroline Kennedy Pipe / Made By History , TIME, 23 Jan. 2025
Related Articles Firefighters gain upper hand after 80-acre Bonsall fire forces evacuations in California
Editorial: Colorado’s new last-resort insurance company shares a name with California’s.
—Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2025
Liberals will hope that recent shifts in the electorate, along with a potential reaction to Trump, can once again give them an upper hand this year.
—Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 6 Jan. 2025
Winds poised to intensify, complicating LA wildfire battle Efforts to gain an upper hand against the deadly infernos continue into Monday amid ominous new wind warnings threatening Southern California communities.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for upper hand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upper hand
Noun
-
Those who embrace these technologies now will likely find themselves with a considerable advantage in the increasingly competitive digital landscape.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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And Osceola will continue to have homecourt advantage in the Finals against Stockton.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
According to Nobel prize-winning economist, Eugene Fama, smaller companies and cheaper companies tend to have an edge over larger, more expensive companies over time.—
Cicely Jones,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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The brass hardware gives it a hint of an edge to balance out the rustic wood, while the scalloped details on the doors adds some whimsy to the mix.—
Bailey Berg,
Architectural Digest,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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On the road - Drive in the middle lanes and stay on high ground.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2025
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The result was an antislavery moral high ground from which the United Kingdom, and later the U.S., could measure other countries and monitor the high seas.—
Austin Choi-Fitzpatrick,
The Conversation,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Operating in such a variable market requires local and regional expertise, as lenders with boots on the ground often have an inside track on conditions and opportunities unique to a specific community and properties.—
Sam Sidhu,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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Operating in such a variable market requires local and regional expertise, as lenders with boots on the ground often have an inside track on conditions and opportunities unique to a specific community and properties.—
Sam Sidhu,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Upper hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upper%20hand. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
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