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.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar 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 hand-holding 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 Its relentlessly upbeat, hand-holding style has drawn constant criticism for coming across as condescending. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 16 Apr. 2026 The service Don't expect any hand-holding here. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Mar. 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
  • Among the things the neighborhood would stand to benefit from, De La Torre said, are financial and legal support for street vendors who keep the commerce district alive, drug treatment programs, and housing assistance.
    — Marissa J. Lang, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The assistance, which helps pay for basic needs such as housing and food, would nearly double under a new policy.
    — Ted Hesson, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of assistance
Noun
  • The Moon enters Aries and your 10th House of Career, Reputation, and Responsibility, putting attention on your public role, work, leadership, or visible commitments.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Finally, markets this week paid close attention to news of the passing of former Federal Reserve Chair Alan Greenspan.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of attention
Noun
  • Yet, earlier this month, I, my fellow editors and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration personnel were informed that support for the Arctic Report Card — our flagship annual report since 2006 — is canceled.
    — Twila Moon, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Demographic experts are cautiously optimistic about the new scheme, which appears to offer more sustained and holistic support for families.
    — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of support
Noun
  • Despite playing just 81 games in right field, Caglianone is tied for third in assists among all American League players at that position with seven.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026
  • All ages are allowed to ride a Class 1 electric bike, which uses pedal assist and has a maximum motor speed of 20 mph.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of assist
Noun
  • For example, expressing appreciation for past help or thanking the doctor for their time was more helpful than emphasizing sadness or frustration.
    — Paul Hsieh, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Some operators said they were forced to take out personal loans, ask family for financial help, and empty out their savings accounts.
    — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of help
Noun
  • Cloud service agreements totaled $29 billion, with data center leases not commenced of $25 billion, equity investments of $25 billion, and capital expenditures of $8 billion.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • YouTube‘s Pedro Pina has doubled down on the case against giving prominence to British broadcasters on digital services.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of service

Browse Nearby Words

handhold
hand-holding
hand-holdings
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hand-holding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hand-holding. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All