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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Recent Examples of hands-on
Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2026
Each week in April highlights a theme—Stars, Clouds, Trees, or Rocks—with daily ideas for hands-on discovery.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026
Haslam has always taken a hands-on approach in Cleveland, sometimes to a fault.
—Ernesto Cova, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
That hands-on experience in East New York—a neighborhood that at the time had more murders than the entire state of Nebraska—convinced him the problem with America’s most underserved students wasn’t the kids.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hands-on
Adjective
The course begins with a basic introduction to the technique, and evolves into hands-on guidance.
—Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2026
Each week in April highlights a theme—Stars, Clouds, Trees, or Rocks—with daily ideas for hands-on discovery.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026
Haslam has always taken a hands-on approach in Cleveland, sometimes to a fault.
—Ernesto Cova, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
That hands-on experience in East New York—a neighborhood that at the time had more murders than the entire state of Nebraska—convinced him the problem with America’s most underserved students wasn’t the kids.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hands-on
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hands-on
Adjective
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The plaintiffs in Wednesday's lawsuit argued the order unconstitutionally intrudes on Congress and the states' power to regulate elections, since the Constitution doesn't give the president any direct authority over how federal elections are conducted.—
Jacob Rosen,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
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For instance, French people are often seen as more direct.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Neither has served in an active military capacity during the current conflict.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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Consider setting aside grandiose ambitions for the moment and taking a break to do something active with your hands.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Even the more politically active class of nonprofits — 501(c)(4) groups, like the relatively new American Hunters and Anglers — can’t make political activity its primary activity.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
3 Apr. 2026
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Last year, six people ran for Sacramento mayor and no one got more than 30% of the vote during the primary election.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hands-on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hands-on. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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