at hand

phrase

Synonyms of at handnext
1
: near in time or place : within reach
use whatever ingredients are at hand
2
: currently receiving or deserving attention
the business at hand

Examples of at hand in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On Saturday, Loya Chávez was careful to say that the issue at hand was not the drug raid itself, but rather the participation of US officials outside the bounds of Mexican law. — Mauricio Torres, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026 And now, with owner-in-waiting Justin Ishbia planning to build a new ballpark in the South Loop, the end days of Rate Field are probably at hand. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 Those sympathetic to the movement argue that’s not the case — and that there was never a binary choice at hand between progressive ideology and the ideas abundance advocates stand for. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026 For the purposes of the war at hand, the photo is, basically, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for at hand

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of at hand was before the 12th century

Rhymes for at hand

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Browse Nearby Words

Athanasius
at hand
athanor
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“At hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20hand. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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