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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Recent Examples of hand-holding
Lack Of Initiative Startups need self-starters who can tackle challenges without excessive hand-holding.
—
Abdo Riani, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Between my parents there was not the slightest gesture of fondness; no hand-holding or sitting close with arms around each other; and hardly ever a kiss.
—Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025
Zanna Clay/Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary Interestingly, this challenges common thought that chimpanzees settle disputes with aggression and hierarchical dominance, and instead display social bonding behavior through acts like grooming and hand-holding.
—New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2025
Unlike Love Island or Too Hot to Handle, the smiles, eye contact and brief hand-holding do all the talking in Single’s Inferno.
—Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
The lack of eye contact, smiles, or hand-holding between the couple, suggesting discomfort.
—Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
Between my parents there was not the slightest gesture of fondness; no hand-holding or sitting close with arms around each other; and hardly ever a kiss.
—Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift are in their hand-holding era!
—Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 15 Oct. 2023
Children younger than 7 are admitted free with a hand-holding adult.
—Sam Boyer, cleveland, 25 Aug. 2023
Abdo Riani, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Between my parents there was not the slightest gesture of fondness; no hand-holding or sitting close with arms around each other; and hardly ever a kiss.
—Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025
Zanna Clay/Lola ya Bonobo Sanctuary Interestingly, this challenges common thought that chimpanzees settle disputes with aggression and hierarchical dominance, and instead display social bonding behavior through acts like grooming and hand-holding.
—New Atlas, 4 Mar. 2025
Unlike Love Island or Too Hot to Handle, the smiles, eye contact and brief hand-holding do all the talking in Single’s Inferno.
—Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Feb. 2025
The lack of eye contact, smiles, or hand-holding between the couple, suggesting discomfort.
—Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
Between my parents there was not the slightest gesture of fondness; no hand-holding or sitting close with arms around each other; and hardly ever a kiss.
—Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift are in their hand-holding era!
—Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 15 Oct. 2023
Children younger than 7 are admitted free with a hand-holding adult.
—Sam Boyer, cleveland, 25 Aug. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hand-holding
Noun
-
Bentonville police were able to access Hensley's cellphone with the assistance of his family and friends, and a witness provided details regarding fentanyl purchases involving Hill, the affidavit states.—
Tracy Neal,
Arkansas Online,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Document the encounter and seek assistance as soon as possible.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Meanwhile Harris Dickinson, 28 gained attention with his role in 2024’s erotic thriller film Babydoll, playing a young intern who has a tumultuous relationship with his CEO, portrayed by Nicole Kidman.—
Zoya Hasan,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
And his angry Instagram reaction to fans’ social media accounts picking up on his words spoke of a man who cannot live with the attention but cannot live without it.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Comedian and car aficionado Jay Leno drove state Sen. Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, in a 1976 Pontiac Trans-Am past the state Capitol on Tuesday, rallying support for legislation that would ease restrictions on classic cars.—
HECTOR AMEZCUA,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Launched in collaboration with BFD Productions, the initiative connects independent filmmakers with development, financing, and production support to greenlit indie films.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Van Lith also broke the single-season record for assists and scoring while leading TCU to the Elite Eight.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Johnson, who was promoted from a two-way contract to a standard deal earlier this season, finished the loss with a career-high 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field and 2-of-3 shooting on threes, seven rebounds, one assist and three steals in a career-high 28 minutes.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
But in the meantime, those who know her are left to ponder an illness that appears to have consumed the caring mother, in spite of her efforts to get help.—
Laura Crimaldi,
BostonGlobe.com,
13 Feb. 2023
-
Police departments in Carroll County could get help from the state with funding the high cost of outfitting officers with body cameras, if a bill introduced in the Maryland General Assembly is passed.—
Sherry Greenfield,
Baltimore Sun,
12 Feb. 2023
Noun
-
Investigators then interviewed dozens of individuals and entities following the initial incident and uncovered evidence Crawley used deceptive practices to get money and services from at least 24 victims, according to the release.—
Ron Wood,
Arkansas Online,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Theater workers — who, like most service employees, have been wearily dealing with increasing amounts of customer incivility since the pandemic — have been fuming.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hand-holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand-holding. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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