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upper hand
noun
Synonyms
Examples of upper hand in a Sentence
finally gained the upper hand in the argument
Recent Examples on the Web
This history shows that buying territory in the Arctic has been a longstanding practice for geopolitical rivals struggling to gain an upper hand and ensure their own defense.
—James Patton Rogers & Caroline Kennedy Pipe / Made By History , TIME, 23 Jan. 2025
Related Articles Firefighters gain upper hand after 80-acre Bonsall fire forces evacuations in California
Editorial: Colorado’s new last-resort insurance company shares a name with California’s.
—Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 23 Jan. 2025
Liberals will hope that recent shifts in the electorate, along with a potential reaction to Trump, can once again give them an upper hand this year.
—Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 6 Jan. 2025
Winds poised to intensify, complicating LA wildfire battle Efforts to gain an upper hand against the deadly infernos continue into Monday amid ominous new wind warnings threatening Southern California communities.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 13 Jan. 2025
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Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of upper hand was
in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near upper hand
Cite this Entry
“Upper hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upper%20hand. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
upper hand
noun
: the position of being ahead or in control
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