as in expert
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field
a British mystery writer who's an undisputed dab hand at building suspense
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Recent Examples of dab hand
In addition to the outfits of the characters in her famous self-portraits, American artist Cindy Sherman is also a dab hand at finds for herself.
—
Lily Templeton, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019
All of which curious George, a dab hand at psychological manipulation, coaxes along with the gentlest of nudges.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025
In addition to the outfits of the characters in her famous self-portraits, American artist Cindy Sherman is also a dab hand at finds for herself.
—Lily Templeton, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019
Van Norden, a dab hand with Shakespeare, is a natural for Shaw.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2024
Benedict, meanwhile, is an expert colorist, a dab hand with print who knows all about decorative drama.
—Grace McCloud, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2023
Zach is a dab hand at herbal knockout potions and the occasional amateur amputation, and there’s a scene featuring the latter in which Wheatley indulges his twin tastes for deadpan comedy and head-on gross-outs to the extreme.
—BostonGlobe.com, 14 Apr. 2021
Sarah, a dab hand at deflecting sexism and maintaining her professional composure, takes the microphone and expresses her excitement at being on board.
—Justin Chang Film Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2020
That, perhaps, is a little less in the bag, but the Kremlin’s operatives are dab hands at suppressing protests and neutering the press.
—The Economist, 12 Mar. 2020
Lily Templeton, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019
All of which curious George, a dab hand at psychological manipulation, coaxes along with the gentlest of nudges.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025
In addition to the outfits of the characters in her famous self-portraits, American artist Cindy Sherman is also a dab hand at finds for herself.
—Lily Templeton, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019
Van Norden, a dab hand with Shakespeare, is a natural for Shaw.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2024
Benedict, meanwhile, is an expert colorist, a dab hand with print who knows all about decorative drama.
—Grace McCloud, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2023
Zach is a dab hand at herbal knockout potions and the occasional amateur amputation, and there’s a scene featuring the latter in which Wheatley indulges his twin tastes for deadpan comedy and head-on gross-outs to the extreme.
—BostonGlobe.com, 14 Apr. 2021
Sarah, a dab hand at deflecting sexism and maintaining her professional composure, takes the microphone and expresses her excitement at being on board.
—Justin Chang Film Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2020
That, perhaps, is a little less in the bag, but the Kremlin’s operatives are dab hands at suppressing protests and neutering the press.
—The Economist, 12 Mar. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dab hand
Noun
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Various studies from researchers around the world, including experts at the University of Arizona and Tulane University say drought, sea level rise, severe storms and dredging are partly to blame for the increase in frequency and swatch of saltwater intrusion.—
Kati Weis,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2025
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Many lawmakers and industry experts around the country have also deemed EV mandates unworkable due to insufficient charging infrastructure.—
Albert R. Wynn,
Baltimore Sun,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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When the call came from the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, the master tailor and artist was surprised and emotional.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
25 Apr. 2025
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Serendipitously, that car was owned by Disney master animator Ward Kimball, whom Gurr had met via a car enthusiast society, the Horseless Carriage Club.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Weiss said some scholars believe the prophecy was written in support of a cardinal who was campaigning to be the next pope.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
4 May 2025
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Although the origins of the doctrine remain in some dispute, most scholars cite its first mention in ancient Roman law.—
Alexandra Klass,
The Conversation,
2 May 2025
Noun
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Slot shares this staple of Tottenham counterpart Ange Postecoglou’s attacking principles, with Porro adept at tucking inside to disrupt the opposition shape.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
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The result is that just these English words, representing just this original document, make for a new and somewhat undiscovered book, even to Marxist adepts.—
Benjamin Kunkel,
Harpers Magazine,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Not long after addressing Harry Potter fans’ concerns that an American actor will play the British wizard Albus Dumbledore, John Lithgow is turning to a different criticism of his casting in HBO‘s Potter series: backlash over boarding a project exec-produced by J.K. Rowling.—
Rebecca Luther,
TVLine,
28 Apr. 2025
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Chris recruits Brax to help as well as a room of brilliant computer wizards led by Justine, Chris' partner with nonverbal autism who communicates via a British computer voice.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Case in point are the house’s artworks, many of which are by Italian artists and reflect an aristocratic taste for the Grand Tour, a tradition in which elite young men traveled through Europe between the 17th and 19th centuries.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
30 Apr. 2025
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Luke is a true risk-taker, always a champion of the artist.—
Lori Majewski,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Also on the bill: R&B powerhouse Ledisi; actor and singer Leslie Odom Jr.; and guitar virtuoso Orianthi; as well as previously announced performer, composer and bandleader Jon Batiste.—
Paul Grein,
Billboard,
23 Apr. 2025
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He’s earned international esteem as a bandleader and collaborator with other singular artists like Afro-Swiss harmonica virtuoso Grégoire Maret, Japanese piano star Hiromi, and Cuban reed great Paquito D’Rivera.—
Andrew Gilbert,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The lifestyle guru served an infamous five-month sentence for lying to federal investigators about a stock sale.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
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That started a conversation with our lead tech and projection guru, Chapin Cutler, [co-founder] of Boston Light & Sound.—
Bill Desowitz,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dab hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab%20hand. Accessed 8 May. 2025.
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