hands-down 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of hands-downnext
as in easy
involving minimal difficulty or effort after all that worrying, the game for the championship turned out to be a hands-down win

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hands down

2 of 3

adverb

ˈhan(d)z-ˈdau̇n How to pronounce hands down (audio)
1
as in definitely
without any question she is hands down the most gifted musician in the class

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in easily
without difficulty she'll win the dancing competition hands down

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hands down

3 of 3

verb

present tense third-person singular of hand down
1
as in passes (down)

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in kithes

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of hands-down
Adjective
But, hands-down, punter Matt Araiza spent bye week in the most uniquely romantic way … in the shadows of Egyptian pyramids. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026 This is hands-down the ultimate all-in-one party machine in its price bracket. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026 Splatoon Raiders is really enjoyable, hands-down, and as the developers have put it, full of ‘pleasant busyness’. — Mitch Wallace, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Best Restaurants Shift Kitchen & Bar A hands-down favorite for Marquess is Shift, which has been recognized by the James Beard Foundation and has a menu that includes family-style plates and a beloved dessert menu. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026 The hands-down highlight, though, is The Point, a spectacular circular building with a Spanish restaurant downstairs and an infinity pool with a swim-up bar upstairs. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 June 2026 This is my all-time favorite Jane Austen novel—and hands-down favorite literary love story. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 10 June 2026 But Ramis' best output is hands-down Groundhog Day (1993). — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 8 June 2026 Convenient and effective, at keeping your beverages cool, yes, but the worst part about most coolers is hands-down the bulkiness. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hands-down
  1. easy
  2. definitely
  3. easily
  4. informs
  5. smooth
  6. certainly
  7. smoothly
  8. notifies
Adjective
  • Rocket is also known for its quality customer service and easy-to-use website.
    — Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Insider tip Salt Ranch is about five miles from both Lower Broad and East Nashville’s Five Points, an easy Uber ride away.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of easy
Adverb
  • Halloween candy hasn’t even been handed out yet, but Hilary Duff is definitely in a Christmas mood already.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Nolan will, most definitely, be in the running for best director once again, while the likes of Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Samantha Morton, and Robert Pattinson are jostling for position in the various acting races.
    — Radhika Seth, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of definitely
Adverb
  • But every year, millions end up in a landfill after a single use, and many are made from synthetic plastics that don't easily break down, contributing to environmental pollution.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • What concerns me is how easily people could let their guard down.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of easily
Verb
  • That philosophy informs Piano’s approach to projects that cross national borders.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The same sort of relaxed approach also informs Mascis’ gear choices.
    — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of informs
Adjective
  • And unlike the typical wire whisk, the smooth plastic attachments are incredibly easy to clean.
    — Editors of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Despite the smoother operations reported in Miami-Dade, Scott advised Broward County voters not to take chances with the postal system.
    — Joan Murray, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of smooth
Adverb
  • While the iPhone Duo’s software certainly felt much smoother and more fluid than Android alternatives, many of its core features have been available on Samsung or Google phones for years.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026
  • From broader cultural debates, including race and equity, to how the league enforces its rules, there are certainly things the new WNBA commissioner will need to address next season and beyond.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of certainly
Adverb
  • Making the comeback last Adapting to shoppers has not always gone smoothly.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
  • And so far, things seem to be operating smoothly — something local residents have grown to expect, given the high caliber of local elections officials and the careful oversight of political parties.
    — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of smoothly
Verb
  • Kiar urged residents in South Florida with elderly family members to monitor their relatives' finances and enroll in the free Owner Alert program, which notifies property owners whenever a deed transaction occurs.
    — Joan Murray, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The school then notifies the borough safety director and Project Open Arms, a citywide initiative responding to new immigrant students and their families.
    — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of notifies

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Cite this Entry

“Hands-down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hands-down. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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