Definition of adroitnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word adroit different from other adjectives like it?

The words deft and dexterous are common synonyms of adroit. While all three words mean "ready and skilled in physical movement," adroit implies dexterity but usually also stresses resourcefulness or artfulness or inventiveness.

the magician's adroit response to the failure of her prop won applause

When might deft be a better fit than adroit?

Although the words deft and adroit have much in common, deft emphasizes lightness, neatness, and sureness of touch or handling.

a surgeon's deft manipulation of the scalpel

In what contexts can dexterous take the place of adroit?

The words dexterous and adroit can be used in similar contexts, but dexterous implies expertness with consequent facility and quickness in manipulation.

unrolled the sleeping bag with a dexterous toss

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 adroit SpaceX is the implied template: Musk will advocate for privatizing the government, outsourcing the affairs of state to nimble entrepreneurs and adroit technologists. Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 19 Oct. 2024 Naturally, Moore is formidable, acing an English accent and exhibiting an adroit sense of comic timing. Alison Herman, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024 The adroit reshufflings of narrative and perspective in ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ and ‘Poor Things’? Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, 18 Nov. 2023 The fashion house is known for its adroit use of off-kilter patterns, which, in the skilled hands of Risso, convey a cerebral, never-twee aesthetic that is no less reflected in this new line. Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2023 See All Example Sentences for adroit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adroit
Adjective
  • The French Connection is now mostly remembered for its virtuoso chase scene and Gene Hackman’s charm.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Slafkovský had two goals and an assist in a virtuoso performance, and Iowa Wild goaltender Samuel Hlavaj was sensational, stopping 39 of 40 shots, including an 18-save first period that gave his team belief that the improbable was possible.
    Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The invader is a skillful art restorer, Lori Butler (Michaela Coel), who’s been hired by Julian’s greedy children, Barnaby (James Corden) and Sallie (Jessica Gunning), to work, or pose, as their father’s new assistant.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Literary style and themes Critics have praised French’s novels for their vivid settings, psychologically nuanced characters, and skillful dialogue.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Petzold, who also wrote the script, is masterful at meting out backstory.
    Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Brooke Bereuter was masterful in goal for Grapevine shutting out Argyle (18-4-3) until the shootout, including stopping a key penalty kick in the first half.
    Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The critical variable is whether the tasks being automated are the expert parts of a role or the administrative scaffolding around them.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
  • When to Call a Professional Some couches need expert attention.
    Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The paramedic suddenly had to balance the urgency of a wartime emergency with the delicate, critical first steps of childbirth.
    Eric Mack, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Miranda's fingers are elegant, delicate as bird bones.
    Danielle Parker, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Researchers in China have demonstrated a humanoid dexterous hand that gives robot fingers a reliable sense of their own posture during complex motion.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Compared with the seeds of almost every other plant, grass seed is highly palatable, especially for a dexterous ape whose hands can slough off the chaff.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The industry now embraces extremes of artistic ambition and extremes of commercial synthetics that wouldn’t have found their way to the public decades earlier.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Charmaine Ayoku is finding her artistic voice.
    Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • But Paul Anthony Kelly is a less deft actor than Pidgeon, and he is given material that adheres even closer to the surface of the legend.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026
  • And as an accomplished narrative filmmaker and documentarian, Loznitsa unveils deft homages to Jacques Tati and Roy Andersson, deadpan directors who reduce human behavior to its base movements.
    Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Adroit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adroit. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.

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