OLD HAND Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

old hand

noun

Definition of old hand

as in veteran

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

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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 old hand Toussaint is an old hand in dealing with pets. — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026 The sensation of a 3-year-old hand in mine is the physical embodiment of living happily ever after. — Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 29 Mar. 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 For Conan O’Brien, an old hand whose podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend is a big player in the field, witty banter and appropriately leading queries come naturally; O’Brien also has plenty of pals on, but has a knack for turning their back-and-forth into a deeper examination of their friendship. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for old hand

Recent Examples of Synonyms for old hand

veteran

Noun

For wellness-minded readers, veterans and the parents of young athletes, how testosterone works has become more than a locker-room topic.

— Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
According to the Death Penalty Information Center, Reaves would be at least the 235th military veteran executed nationwide in the modern era and the 14th veteran executed under DeSantis.

— Gretchen Reynolds, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of veteran

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old guards

old hand

old hands

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“Old hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old%20hand. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of old hand

noun

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