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Definition of unhand

unhand

/ʌnˈhænd/
un · hand
Past Simple:unhanded
•
Past Participle:unhanded
•
Present Participle:unhanding
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unhand Lexical Profile

unhand Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To release from one's physical grasp or let go of (typically a person or an object).

Example

"The stage actor dramatically demanded that the guards unhand him at once."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for unhand
Antonyms
View all antonyms for unhand

Word Nuance & Usage

In contemporary English, "unhand" is archaic or literary and is used almost exclusively in the imperative mood (e.g., "Unhand me!") for humorous, theatrical, or melodramatic effect.

• Rhymes for unhand

• Nearby Words

unguided
ungulate
unhampered
unhand
unhandicapped
unhandled
unhandy

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the early 17th century from the reversative prefix "un-" and the noun "hand", popularized by William Shakespeare in Hamlet ("Unhand me, gentlemen").

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Unhand. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/unhand
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