HANDS ON Synonyms: 17 Similar and Opposite Words

hands-on 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of hands-on

as in direct

actively and personally involved in something Supervisors at the company are expected to take a hands-on role in the projects of their subordinates.

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Dissimilar Words

hands on

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of hand on

as in passes (down)

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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-on

Adjective

Microsoft and Nvidia held a launch party for the first wave of RTX Spark laptops last week in San Francisco, where a new wave of AI PCs took center stage amid a packed crowd and a lively hands-on area. — Tom Warren, The Verge, 15 Oct. 2026 Emma and Diego Contreras of Plano had already decided that Diego would take a more hands-on role in the birth of their third child, who wasn't due until the following week. — Robbie Owens, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 The program—announced at the Ai Everything conference in the capital–will give government employees hands-on experience with tools such as ChatGPT, Codex, and Microsoft 365 Copilot. — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026 These family-friendly events include traditional music, dancing and hands-on crafts. — Adele Chapin, Washington Post, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hands-on

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hands-on

Adjective

The university introduced an aerospace engineering degree this fall, giving students a direct connection to emerging aviation systems.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
There is no working alternative to Starlink, which has put a massive constellation of low-earth satellites into orbit, and no direct competitor comes close.

— Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of direct

Adjective

This theory, also known as active inference or the free energy principle, has become one of the most important frameworks in neuroscience for understanding how the brain works as a whole.

— Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Residents have been bracing to see what El Niño has in store this winter after an active hurricane season that has dramatically reshaped many of Southern California’s most famous beaches, including in San Clemente and adjacent Capistrano Beach.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of active

Adjective

The primary danger of these apps is not the fees associated with using just one, Feltner noted.

— Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
The bill was introduced over a year ago, and its primary backer was the late Lindsey Graham, a veteran Republican senator who represented South Carolina.

— Azhar Sukri, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of primary

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handsomeness

hands-on

hands on

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Style

“Hands-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hands-on. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of hands-on

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

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