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.
For all its lighthearted, sapphic fun, Kris faces her fair share of jump scares at the hands of Billy and Little Death (Jack Haven), the ghost behind the camp’s murders. — Mya Copeland, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026 In the guest book, in 2024, a guest creatively wrote a six-entry (three days and three nights) account of their stay there, a descent into madness at the hands of the structure’s steady creaking and the sounds of twigs snapping in the woods below. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026 Fresh off an unremarkable trade deadline, the now-48-68 Royals needed a spark after being swept at the hands of National League bottom dweller Colorado to end a 10-game road trip. — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2026 The filing also mentions a July 24 attack — allegedly at the hands of an associate of Link — which is being investigated by corrections officials. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 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 17 Aug. 2026.

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