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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Then, prosecutors say, the source handed over the cards, the defendants gave him the money — and agents arrested the defendants. Cara Tabachnick, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026 Russell, who had been with Bad Wolf for just over two years, handed over to Crowther, who was previously an exec at the Doctor Who outfit, at the start of 2026. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
By 2020, British politics had been upended by a vote to leave the EU, while relations between the two countries had become strained after Beijing introduced new security laws in Hong Kong seen as breaking the terms of the former British colony's handover to China in 1997. Ian King, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026 Holman Ros succeeds Alexandra Winokur, who is to leave her position on Saturday after a one-month handover period, as reported. Miles Socha, Footwear News, 26 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hand over
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hand over
Verb
  • His father refused to relinquish his grudge, as Dreher saw it, and his mother always went along with her husband.
    Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Notable sellers include Bruce Springsteen, who in 2021 made a deal with Sony Music Entertainment to relinquish his master recordings and songs for $500 million.
    Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Hospitals are so poorly equipped that patients are asked to provide supplies needed for their care, from syringes to surgical screws.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
  • This satellite will provide broadband internet and communications capability for public use facilities in Indonesia’s rural regions.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Dad hands me the paper, the certificate of ownership from the National Archives.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
  • North Carolina regulators this week blocked Carolina Water Service from imposing a temporary rate increase, handing a short-term victory to thousands of homeowners already fighting a broader, long-term hike.
    Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The Celtics score six more points per game (116) than the Rockets surrender (110).
    Data Skrive, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
  • The firm’s lawyers also stood by the congresswoman’s side after her surrender last November and at subsequent hearings where she was scheduled to be arraigned.
    David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Officers rendered aid until emergency services arrived, and the boy was taken to UofL Hospital.
    Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Les Archives, located in Paris’ 6th arrondissement, is a secondhand designer store rendered entirely in millennial pink.
    Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Ishii said the council is focused on filling the five Police Accountability Board vacancies and finding Aguilar’s replacement, finalizing the board’s regulations, giving both oversight entities the necessary tools to succeed and restoring belief in the oversight process.
    Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
  • McVay said the team would give the players time to digest the season and decide what might be next.
    Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • In France, 60% of respondents said their government’s policies will leave future generations worse off, as did 53% in the United Kingdom and 51% in Germany.
    Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Payne fled after the shooting, leaving his children behind.
    Quinlan Bentley, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • With their vaunted defense, the Seahawks grabbed the Patriots and squeezed them into submission.
    Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Walker, a fourth-year pro, rushed for a game-high 135 yards as Seattle’s offense did enough to let its defense smother New England into submission.
    David K. Li, NBC news, 9 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hand over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand%20over. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!