upper hand
noun
Synonyms
Examples of upper hand in a Sentence
finally gained the upper hand in the argument
Recent Examples on the Web
Arrowhead being the loudest stadium in the world is such an upper hand and such a pleasure to have.
—
Mesfin Fekadu, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Apr. 2024
But Mann’s familiarity with some of the intricacies on both sides of the ball gives him the slight upper hand in being LaMelo’s understudy.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2024
Ukrainian officials have said Starlink gives troops an essential upper hand, providing a reliable internet connection that allows soldiers to respond to group text messages, stream drone feeds of enemy forces and coordinate artillery strikes.
—Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024
But, despite gaining the regulatory upper hand, Deliveroo still has the small matter of appeasing its group of increasingly frustrated riders.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 14 Mar. 2024
This is a map, proposed by the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, that meaningfully reduces the Republicans’ current advantage, but still leaves the GOP with a clear upper hand.
—Craig Gilbert, Journal Sentinel, 29 Jan. 2024
Who wins that campaign argument between the county’s effort and Faulconer’s record will clearly have an upper hand in the race.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Nov. 2023
The division of key sites and towns between the two sides means that both forces are digging in and neither has gained a definitive upper hand in the fighting yet.
—Hafiz Haroun, Washington Post, 3 May 2023
An uneven tech race Today, countries around the world are pushing to gain an upper hand in innovating around tech and AI.
—Semyon Dukach, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2023
Mesfin Fekadu, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Apr. 2024
But Mann’s familiarity with some of the intricacies on both sides of the ball gives him the slight upper hand in being LaMelo’s understudy.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 8 Mar. 2024
Ukrainian officials have said Starlink gives troops an essential upper hand, providing a reliable internet connection that allows soldiers to respond to group text messages, stream drone feeds of enemy forces and coordinate artillery strikes.
—Cat Zakrzewski, Washington Post, 7 Mar. 2024
But, despite gaining the regulatory upper hand, Deliveroo still has the small matter of appeasing its group of increasingly frustrated riders.
—Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 14 Mar. 2024
This is a map, proposed by the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, that meaningfully reduces the Republicans’ current advantage, but still leaves the GOP with a clear upper hand.
—Craig Gilbert, Journal Sentinel, 29 Jan. 2024
Who wins that campaign argument between the county’s effort and Faulconer’s record will clearly have an upper hand in the race.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Nov. 2023
The division of key sites and towns between the two sides means that both forces are digging in and neither has gained a definitive upper hand in the fighting yet.
—Hafiz Haroun, Washington Post, 3 May 2023
An uneven tech race Today, countries around the world are pushing to gain an upper hand in innovating around tech and AI.
—Semyon Dukach, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'upper hand.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 20 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
upper hand
noun
: the position of being ahead or in control
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