hand-holding

noun

Definition of hand-holdingnext
as in assistance
patient and attentive guidance encouragement, or instruction New computer users often require a good deal of hand-holding.

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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-holding But that muscle will take a while to rebuild after more than a decade of hand-holding by a central bank wary of surprising the market. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 30 July 2026 There's no hand-holding, though. — Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026 The math starts to favor hiring an experienced worker who needs less hand-holding. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 May 2026 Beyond the yachts themselves, the yards are working hard to secure younger clients, with more hand-holding during the sale process and build period than ever before. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for hand-holding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hand-holding
  1. assistance
  2. attention
  3. support
  4. assist
  5. help
  6. service
Noun
  • And those striving for zest under these circumstances may benefit from assistance from a mental health professional like a psychologist, a physical health provider like a physician, or a personal trainer or fitness instructor.
    — Joan M. Cook, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The government plans to support participating companies through loan guarantees and assistance with administrative requirements.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of assistance
Noun
  • Amalia Ulman’s 2025 film Magic Farm, about an American team’s desperation to manufacture a viral trend in rural Argentina, is minor cringe for its pleasurable skewering of the attention economy.
    — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • No one was standing over my shoulder telling me to pay it special attention, but I was mesmerized.
    — Joan Martelli, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of attention
Noun
  • Blue Origin also aims to produce nearly all its components and systems in-house, while maintaining support from external suppliers.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Peter and Rebecca’s sister Lauren will serve as Rebecca’s support swimmer.
    — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of support
Noun
  • Portis closed with 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field and 2-of-3 shooting on threes, two rebounds and three assists in 24 minutes.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
  • In just their seventh game of the season, Brady scored a hat trick on Tuesday night, with each of his goals being assisted by Matthew, who had two other assists on the night.
    — Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of assist
Noun
  • Advertisement The same technology that is delivering fortunes in Silicon Valley can also deliver help to the least fortunate.
    — David Miliband, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Long Beach Police requested the help of its SWAT team, which eventually made entry into the house.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of help
Noun
  • Metal forks are stored handles downward and plastic forks are positioned both directions for patron self service.
    — NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • These tools are primarily used by those who make less than $50,000 according to a 2022 Government Accountability Office report, with food and rent being the key reasons people use the service, one case study of food and restaurant workers found.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of service

Browse Nearby Words

handhold
hand-holding
hand-holdings
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Cite this Entry

“Hand-holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand-holding. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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