at the hands of

phrase

variants or less commonly at the hand of
: by or through the action of
suffering at the hands of a cruel dictator

Examples of at the hands of in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The Razorbacks’ three SEC losses came at the hands of Georgia, Texas A&M and Tennessee, in addition to a drubbing at the hands of Utah in their first road game. — Pj Green october 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2026 In the shadows of the Catholic church, nuns and women have long endured abuse at the hands of priests — insidious and tactful grooming, silenced by confession, and hidden through systemic cover-ups. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026 Friedman said how to better manage Ohtani's two-way workload for a potential full season next year had yet to be discussed since the season ended last week with a four-game sweep at the hands of the Brewers in the NLCS. — CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 As the only people allowed in the city, the objective is to capture front-page-worthy snaps while avoiding dismemberment at the hands of extraterrestrial invaders. — Jack Dunn, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for at the hands of

Word History

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of at the hands of was in 1581

Rhymes for at the hands of

See All Rhymes for at the hands of

Browse Nearby Words

at the first sign
at the hands of
at the head of
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“At the hands of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20the%20hands%20of. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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