: characterized by noninterference
a hands-off policy toward the internal affairs of other nations

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web When a film is commissioned, IFP owns the intellectual property; when funded, IFP takes a more hands-off approach. Randee Dawn, Variety, 24 May 2023 Lawmakers expressed regret over their relatively hands-off approach to the tech industry before the 2016 elections. Will Oremus, Washington Post, 16 May 2023 The federal government has generally taken a hands-off approach. David Hilzenrath, Anchorage Daily News, 13 May 2023 On the consumer side, the next big thing will be the Ultra Cruise ADAS system, which also offers hands-off driving so long as the human pilot is paying attention. Patrick George, The Verge, 5 May 2023 Cook the homemade sauce a day or two in advance, and the rest of the recipe is mostly hands-off. Christopher Michel, Country Living, 4 May 2023 According to Tesla, Huang’s hands were not detected on the steering wheel multiple times during the 19 minutes leading up to the crash, during which Autopilot issued two visual and one audible alert for hands-off driving. Malathi Nayak, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2023 As the attitude toward Syria in the region has shifted, the administration of President Biden has taken a more hands-off approach. Edward Wong, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2023 Unlike pimples, a hands-off approach won't necessarily make the itchy, flaky, irritated patches go away. Theresa Holland, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hands-off.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hands-off was in 1860

Dictionary Entries Near hands-off

Cite this Entry

“Hands-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hands-off. Accessed 9 Jun. 2023.

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