as in advantage
the more favorable condition or position in a competition
finally gained the upper hand in the argument
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Recent Examples of upper hand
This is particularly so for tailored clothing, where menswear has enjoyed an enduring upper hand.
—
Julian Randall, Essence, 9 Jan. 2025
Russia had the clear upper hand in Syria, and Erdogan saw no choice but to work with President Vladimir Putin.
—Gonul Tol, Foreign Affairs, 11 Dec. 2024
And the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime only strengthens Israel’s upper hand over Iran.
—Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024
Democrat wins in final Senate race call but Republicans keep upper hand.
—Fox News, 12 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for upper hand 
Julian Randall, Essence, 9 Jan. 2025
Russia had the clear upper hand in Syria, and Erdogan saw no choice but to work with President Vladimir Putin.
—Gonul Tol, Foreign Affairs, 11 Dec. 2024
And the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime only strengthens Israel’s upper hand over Iran.
—Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024
Democrat wins in final Senate race call but Republicans keep upper hand.
—Fox News, 12 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for upper hand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for upper hand
Noun
-
There’s also no question that KC has the advantage at kicker, with Harrison Butker being the much more reliable option compared to someone who just missed a huge field goal against the Chiefs last season.—
Jesse Newell,
Kansas City Star,
25 Jan. 2025
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But Herro has been the more efficient player, with advantages in shooting percentage (47.4 to 44.9) and three-point percentage (40.4 to 39.0) and turnovers (2.3 per game to Lillard’s 2.8).—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
During Vrabel’s early days in Tennessee, players would walk into team meetings on edge.—
Chad Graff,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
-
The job market is always shifting, but staying adaptable gives you the edge.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Elevate and rattle from high ground, or a tree stand or tripod, to spot more bucks.—
Michael Hanback,
Outdoor Life,
7 Nov. 2024
-
And for people who are still in the path of disaster, Hecht said, pay them to move to high ground.—
Peter Green,
Quartz,
14 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
That’s why most of us are intrigued to hear about the new consumer-facing devices and developments coming from the tech industry—and no one has a better inside track on that information than the members of Forbes Technology Council.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes,
16 Dec. 2024
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Pittsburgh, Nebraska, Penn State and Louisville earned top regional seeds Sunday in the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament and an inside track to the national semifinals.—
Mitch Sherman,
The Athletic,
2 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near upper hand
Cite this Entry
“Upper hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/upper%20hand. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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