the upper hand
noun
: the position of having power or being in control in a particular situation
He always has to have the upper hand.
—sometimes used figurativelyThe infection was gaining the upper hand and the patient's condition was deteriorating.
Examples of the upper hand in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite the decision, Amazon is likely to have the upper hand in the legal battle due to multiple factors.
—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
30 June 2026
Part of the reason is having the upper hand thanks to the East Busway in Wilkinsburg.
—
Jessica Riley,
CBS News,
26 June 2026
Every now and then, chaos gets the upper hand.
—
Ew Staff,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 June 2026
Daemon is one of the most clever, cunning and conniving characters in House of the Dragon, who always seems to have the upper hand.
—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for the upper hand
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Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
30 June 2026
Part of the reason is having the upper hand thanks to the East Busway in Wilkinsburg.
—
Jessica Riley,
CBS News,
26 June 2026
Every now and then, chaos gets the upper hand.
—
Ew Staff,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 June 2026
Daemon is one of the most clever, cunning and conniving characters in House of the Dragon, who always seems to have the upper hand.
—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for the upper hand
Cite this Entry
“The upper hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20upper%20hand. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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