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Definitions

show of hands

NOUN
voice vote
Synonyms
WEAK
aye nay viva voce vote yea yeas and nays
NOUN
vote
Synonyms
STRONGEST
ballot choice majority poll referendum tally
STRONG
franchise nay plebiscite suffrage ticket will wish yea
WEAK
aye secret ballot yes or no

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

By a show of hands, Labour conference delegates rejected the first motion in favour of the second.

From BBC • Sep. 29, 2025

Then the judge will excuse any people who indicate by a show of hands that they can’t serve or can’t be fair and impartial, he wrote.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 11, 2024

Mr. Diaz-Balart at one point asked for a show of hands on who had actually seen the exhibit.

From Washington Times • Jul. 23, 2023

By a show of hands, the assembly backed proposals to lift the immunity of Italian Andrea Cozzolino and Belgian Marc Tarabella, both of the centre-left Socialists and Democrats.

From Reuters • Feb. 2, 2023

Sergeant Bloom, addressing us in the chapel on the eve of our graduation, asked for a show of hands from everyone in the room who was scared about starting work on Monday.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover