hand 1 of 2

noun

ˈhand How to pronounce hand (audio)
Definition of handnext
1
as in side
a certain way in which something appears or may be regarded on the one hand, you would have more storage space in a larger house, but on the other, you would have more rooms to heat

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Relevance
2
as in flank
a place, space, or direction away from or beyond a central point or line tall buildings rose on either hand nothing but wide open space on either hand

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3
as in needle
an arrow-shaped piece on a dial or scale for registering information both hands of the clock pointed to 12

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4
as in employee
one who works for another for wages or a salary the restaurant always hires several more hands for the busy summer season

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5
as in handwriting
the form or style of a particular person's writing writes with a flowing, old-fashioned hand

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6
as in control
usually hands plural the ability to direct the course of something the final decision is in your hands

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7
as in possession
hands plural the fact or state of having (something) at one's disposal I'd like to get my hands on that vintage Cadillac convertible

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8
as in assistance
an act or instance of helping the downstairs tenant gave us a hand getting the heavy dresser up the stairs

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9
as in expert
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field once she got her own place, the young woman showed that she was quite a hand at interior decoration

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10
as in signature
a person's name written in their own handwriting often given to indicate awareness or consent the subpoena required a lawyer's hand

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hand

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to provide
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

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2
as in to pass
to shift possession of (something) from one person to another the clerk handed her the receipt

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3
as in to leave
to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another handed me her bundles while she fished for her house keys

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of hand
Noun
Whoever wins Georgia’s lieutenant governor race in November will lead the state Senate chamber for the next four years ― but the scope of his power will rest in the hands of the likely Republican majority. — Riley Bunch, AJC.com, 31 Aug. 2026 In James’s hands, these branching options can seem to amount to distinctions without a difference. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
Polymarket handed Vance a 48% chance of clinching the GOP’s nomination and Rubio a 17% chance as of Friday. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 29 Aug. 2026 The festival worker who had taken the picture handed me back my phone and ushered me into the long line of fans amassed at the entrance to the theatre. — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hand
  1. side
  2. needle
  3. employee
  4. handwriting
  5. control
  6. possession
  7. assistance
  8. expert
Noun
  • Some China watchers, however, are keeping their expectations low, as both sides appear to be more interested in avoiding moves that would risk their current trade truce.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
  • This bra uses flexible jelly support for shaping and providing a natural-looking boost, while higher side bands offer more coverage around the underarms and back.
    — Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of side
Noun
  • Those concerns have already moved the needle, but the long-term growth runway is still in the early stages.
    — Samantha Subin, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Show The Imperfect Moments The change that truly moved the needle was pointing the camera at the moments that were not perfect.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of needle
Noun
  • The lawsuit filed by two former employees contains allegations that are false, misleading, and unsupported by credible evidence.
    — Devon Henderson, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Fisher was told that her husband and other residents had been videotaped naked at the home, and the images were shared among a group of facility employees via Snapchat.
    — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of employee
Noun
  • Decades later, Denise Epstein opened a leather case of her mother’s and discovered a manuscript set forth in tiny handwriting.
    — David Denby, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The sticker will feature a butterfly — an image that Parton had long used in her logos — with the singer’s first name in her handwriting in the middle, all in Tennessee orange and white.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of handwriting
Noun
  • Communities from Lansing, Michigan, to Pflugerville, Texas, are ending their relationship with Flock, largely over concerns regarding out-of-control surveillance, unwanted data sharing, high expenses, and reports of police abusing the tool.
    — Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • According to the sheriff's office, Awais used his property-management companies and his relationships with association board members to exert control over the organizations' operations and finances.
    — Chelsea Jones, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of control
Noun
  • Geneva rolled up 466 yards and crossed the goal line on six of its 10 possessions.
    — Jerry Birchfield, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The 10-play scoring drive was possible in part because of a 17-yard pass from Hyppolite to Ty Hayes on fourth and 5 that kept the possession alive and moved them into the red zone.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of possession
Noun
  • Among the things the neighborhood would stand to benefit from, De La Torre said, are financial and legal support for street vendors who keep the commerce district alive, drug treatment programs, and housing assistance.
    — Marissa J. Lang, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The assistance, which helps pay for basic needs such as housing and food, would nearly double under a new policy.
    — Ted Hesson, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of assistance
Noun
  • These experts assign ratings after analyzing a company's financials and ability to consistently pay dividends while also seeking capital appreciation.
    — TipRanks.com Staff, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Leading the way in court There are dozens of cases across the country surrounding the legal status of prediction sites, and experts believe the matter will eventually be decided by the Supreme Court.
    — Marshall Cohen, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of expert

Phrases Containing hand

Browse Nearby Words

hamstrung
hand
handbag
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Cite this Entry

“Hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hand

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hand

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