Synonyms of old hands

old hands

noun

plural of old hand

as in veterans

a person with long experience in a specified area

with 25 years on the job, Vinnie was the old hand everyone went to with their problems

Synonyms & Similar Words

• veterans
• vets
• warhorses
• stagers
• old-timers
• past masters
• professionals
• experts
• doyens
• masters
• pros
• hands
• dab hands
• adepts
• doyennes
• gurus
• mavens

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• freshmen
• newcomers
• beginners
• recruits
• novices
• rookies
• fledglings
• colts
• boots
• neophytes
• apprentices
• cubs
• students
• newbies
• amateurs
• greenhorns
• trainees
• tyros
• learners
• candidates
• tenderfeet
• entrants
• probationers
• novitiates
• dilettantes

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of old hands

For all the negative coverage, aesthetic arguments about climbing styles, the controversies and disasters, Everest continues to be at the heart of so many dreams and ambitions — even for old hands, like Cotter. — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 30 May 2026

With Friday’s game teetering in the third quarter at the Moda Center, Spurs rookie Dylan Harper took matters into his 20-year-old hands and helped spark a stunning 120-108 victory that stole the Spurs a 2-1 lead in Western Conference first-round series. — Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 25 Apr. 2026

On the television side, however, the winning series for excellence in period, sci-fi/fantasy, and contemporary costumes were all old hands. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 12 Feb. 2026

And the old hands who know their way around the Washington labyrinth mostly see the Tech Hamiltonians as a menace to be thwarted, and so use their talent and knowledge to work against rather than for the new regime. — Walter Russell Mead, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2026

Most old hands recall how every briefing session with Biki Oberoi would begin with a detailed reading of every negative review, followed by ways to address the issues raised. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Jan. 2026