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

Perhaps there is some hands-on training…if your team members have the time to dedicate to it. — K.h. Koehler, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 Woo said creating the academy required extensive work, including developing the curriculum and hands-on training programs. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026 Interim manager Don Mattingly has been more hands-on over the past month. — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026 Some categories more than doubled, while others gained despite offering no hands-on experience. — Ayşe Çetinel, Harvard Business Review, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hands-on

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hands-on

Adjective

Katarzyna Nowakowska, Poland's deputy minister for family, labor and social policy, told the AP that the most vulnerable applicants still receive direct help from the state and any other refugees needing support should turn to social workers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
To enjoy it past its best-by date safely, store your tea bags in a cool, dry place away from heat, humidity, and direct sunlight, Tucker says.

— Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of direct

Adjective

Every active iPhone, iPad, or Mac sold generates continuous cash flow regardless of whether the owner upgrades their physical device that year.

— Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
Meta reported in July that Instagram has 2 billion daily active users — nearly a quarter of the Earth's population.

— John Ruwitch, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of active

Adjective

The primary comes as Trump attempts to brush off a string of primary losses, with his 10th endorsed candidate losing in last week’s elections.

— Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 24 Aug. 2026
The primary hurdle moving forward is integrating efficient extraction technologies into existing treatment infrastructure to yield materials that meet industrial standards.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 24 Aug. 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 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of hands-on

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

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