hand over 1 of 2

Definition of hand overnext
1
as in to relinquish
to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress the police officer ordered the suspect to hand over his weapons

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2
as in to provide
to put (something) into the possession of someone for use or consumption in response to a desperate plea, we handed over all our extra blankets and pillows to the homeless shelter

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3
4
as in to pass
to shift possession of (something) from one person to another hand over that screwdriver, will you please?

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handover

2 of 2

noun

as in surrender
the usually forced yielding of one's person or possessions to the control of another though the handover of my wallet was painful, it was better than getting shot by some trigger-happy punk

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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 over
Verb
Tim Cook stepped down as Apple CEO in September, handing over the top job to former hardware chief John Ternus and taking an executive chairman role. — Jay Peters, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026 In the 1990s, Soai found a molecule that makes copies of itself and favors its own hand over its mirror-image version. — Mallory Green, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
It is understood the management handover was carefully planned, and at least a year in the making. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026 Futures are flat in early trading on Wednesday amid a broadly positive handover from Asia. — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hand over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hand over
Verb
  • She was only forced to relinquish the title when she was drafted to the Raw brand.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Moon, meanwhile, is struggling at school but on the precipice of adulthood; as the young woman begins to make her own decisions in life, Yue must relinquish a degree of maternal responsibility.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Social media videos of him hitting tennis balls and baseballs while listing his policy proposals have provided a font of online mockery.
    — Philip Elliott, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Paris police said one person died of a heart attack, without providing details.
    — SYLVIE CORBET, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • When asked, Beckham handed the bottles to Pierce, who noted three different types of pills in the bottle.
    — Steven Mross, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Reputational risks Trump’s regulators are handing ⁠Wall Street banks major capital relief and have already clashed with Democrats when defending their policies during congressional hearings.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • When threats don’t speed wins In the pursuit of surrender, or at least a ceasefire, the promise of crushing defeat has rarely been enticing.
    — Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Winston Churchill did not surrender to Germany, nor should Zelenskyy surrender to Putin.
    — Alfred H. Moses, Baltimore Sun, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • All of this can make inflation a self-fulfilling prophecy, rendering the monetary policy tools at the Fed's disposal less effective in slowing price growth.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Vivier’s signature buckle can be rendered in gold or silver, with colored brass available on select styles.
    — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Most questions were friendly and business-centric, but Marshall also gave his opinion on several polarizing issues, including federal immigration enforcement, tariffs and the war in Iran.
    — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Four turboprop engines power the aircraft, giving it the performance needed for demanding military transport operations.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Composer Ghulam Mohammed died in 1968 after writing the songs, leaving Naushad to complete the background score.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The collection launches with Seeded Natural, an unbleached, undyed fabric that leaves the cotton’s own seeds visible in the weave.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The process will work by Watrfall execs reviewing every submission and responding to applicants within six weeks.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Swift is not alone in splitting her chances with different submissions.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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