1
as in relinquishes
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in provides
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in hands
to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another
handed over their valuables to the desk clerk, who put them in the hotel safe
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in passes
to shift possession of (something) from one person to another
hand over that screwdriver, will you please?
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 hands over
Suarez offered no physical resistance throughout the encounter, and balled up with his hands over his head as DeMaio struck him, according to a law enforcement source.
—
Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
These are not simply attentive and thoughtful touches, the kind of service that hands over a box of matches on a silver tray—staff are emotionally invested in the place and most have been with Shakti for over 10 years, so their sense of hospitality is unforced and from the heart.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Apple is turning a page as CEO Tim Cook hands over the reins to successor John Ternus, marking only the second leadership transition since Steve Jobs.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
But the Dodgers bundled up, fought off the chill by scoring runs in each of the first five innings and warmed their hands over a 7-1 defeat of the Colorado Rockies.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 18 Apr. 2026
Some in the opposition are still expecting dirty tricks in the next days and weeks, before Orbán formally hands over power.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026
And few, if any, players grabbed a place with two hands over the past week in Atlanta.
—Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
The new guy hands over a slip of paper and Sonny is stirred by what's written on it.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
DeChambeau put his hands over his head in disbelief when Lee missed the playoff putt.
—Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026
Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026
These are not simply attentive and thoughtful touches, the kind of service that hands over a box of matches on a silver tray—staff are emotionally invested in the place and most have been with Shakti for over 10 years, so their sense of hospitality is unforced and from the heart.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Apple is turning a page as CEO Tim Cook hands over the reins to successor John Ternus, marking only the second leadership transition since Steve Jobs.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
But the Dodgers bundled up, fought off the chill by scoring runs in each of the first five innings and warmed their hands over a 7-1 defeat of the Colorado Rockies.
—Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 18 Apr. 2026
Some in the opposition are still expecting dirty tricks in the next days and weeks, before Orbán formally hands over power.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 13 Apr. 2026
And few, if any, players grabbed a place with two hands over the past week in Atlanta.
—Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2026
The new guy hands over a slip of paper and Sonny is stirred by what's written on it.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
DeChambeau put his hands over his head in disbelief when Lee missed the playoff putt.
—Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hands over
Verb
-
Could this be the anarchic mind that emerges when the ego relinquishes its hold?—
Michael Pollan,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
-
If a player chooses not to negotiate with the Panthers, that player will be unable to sign elsewhere, unless Carolina relinquishes his rights by not offering him a tender.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
McClellan, who measured 6-3 7/8 and 313 pounds at his pro day, provides the imposing presence over center that the Packers lacked.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Trost provides similar depth for the Rams on the offensive line.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Leon has also questioned the funding mechanism, which calls on the Trust to collect hundreds of millions in private donations and turn the money over to the NPS, which then hands it off to the White House.—
Arden Farhi,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
But its sense of Kevin’s journey from a shy, kept cat to one ready for whatever life hands him is clear, a North Star to guide all the otherwise enjoyable chaos.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sophomore Nate Roberts is a 6-5, 240-pounder who has blocking experience and showed off versatility catching passes in the spring.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Be sure to stay alert and have a safe place as well as a plan in case a severe storm passes through your area.—
Lauren Bostwick,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Earlier this week, the court heard that Ghost suffered cold urticaria after a swim on Bondi Beach, a condition that effectively renders people allergic to cold water.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Even though the economic fallout of the Iran war renders the report somewhat stale, Thursday’s data gives the Fed a valuable look at the underlying conditions before the conflict began.—
Josephine Rozzelle,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And that gives Ukraine a huge win globally.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Simmons is right that the glasses are super-thin, which gives them a delightful hand feel no matter the beverage.—
Jennifer Zyman,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The move leaves the Seahawks with a total of six picks in the draft.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Despite the album’s high quality across the board, Mahesh still leaves a few ends loose.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Just like that, Cassie surrenders her image to Maddy’s control.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Robert Simmons surrenders to police following a seven-hour standoff.—
Julie Sharp,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hands over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hands%20over. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
