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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Recent Examples of old hand
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
The Osefo family is an old hand at meeting the pressure of high expectations and not simply because of the recent criminal allegations of insurance fraud.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2025
But Black Bear has enlisted Benjamin Kramer, an old hand from CAA, to oversee operations, and Row K has tapped Megan Colligan, a former Paramount and Imax executive, to lead the company.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
Another old hand, Rashid, took all three South African wickets to avoid total humiliation.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for old hand
David Sims, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026
The Osefo family is an old hand at meeting the pressure of high expectations and not simply because of the recent criminal allegations of insurance fraud.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2025
But Black Bear has enlisted Benjamin Kramer, an old hand from CAA, to oversee operations, and Row K has tapped Megan Colligan, a former Paramount and Imax executive, to lead the company.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 9 Sep. 2025
Another old hand, Rashid, took all three South African wickets to avoid total humiliation.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for old hand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for old hand
veteran
Noun
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The front office also faced growing concerns about whether Reese’s presence would deter the signing of returning veterans and key free agents the Sky had targeted.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
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Two Patriots veteran free-agent additions, outside linebacker Dre’Mont Jones and guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, addressed the media on Thursday as the offseason workout program wrapped up for the week.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Old hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/old%20hand. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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