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adroit

adjective

ə-ˈdrȯit How to pronounce adroit (audio)
Definition of adroitnext
as in virtuoso
accomplished with trained ability with an adroit flick of the wrist, flipped the omelet into the air and landed it squarely back in the pan

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 As Powell — one of Capitol Hill’s most adroit navigators — made his rounds, Republicans on both sides of the Capitol panned the investigation. — Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026 The OptiPlex 7020 is one in its nearly endless line of business towers, and this one has a surprisingly adroit loadout in terms of components. — PC Magazine, 11 July 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for adroit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adroit
  1. virtuoso
  2. skillful
  3. masterful
  4. expert
  5. delicate
  6. dexterous
  7. artistic
  8. deft
Adjective
  • Through 107 career games, Minten’s profile has leaned more toward dependable cello player than virtuoso first violinist.
    — Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Bellow felt an affinity with Kennedy’s combination of low-life high jinks, human frailty, and virtuoso style.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of virtuoso
Adjective
  • But be that guy that can be skillful, a bruiser, fast and tough.
    — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026
  • As Musashi scrambles through a school of Samurai, the game seamlessly bounces between skillful swordplay, rowdy improvisation, and Looney Tunes-style levity.
    — Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of skillful
Adjective
  • Beauty and precision on your wrist by this masterful Swiss maker, who spent years handling the most complicated, precious pieces at Patek Philippe—the OG along with Voutilainen, Dufour, and Smith.
    — Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Since the inception of Puffy, Combs has been the overpowering narrator of his own story, masterful at marketing himself as whatever shiny new version of himself he’s decided to be.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of masterful
Adjective
  • There’s expert work also from Pyle as a careworn law enforcement officer unable to remain indifferent to the taking of another life in the name of the law.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Have a look at our expert roundup of the best Bluetooth headsets.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of expert
Adjective
  • These are the glimmers of something in the fringes that keep The Cherry Orchard, even in our age of jonesing to burn it all down, so miraculously delicate and devastating.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Rich Handel, resident laundry expert at Consumer Reports, warns that mixing heavy fabrics like denim with delicate garments increases friction and degrades the softer material.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of delicate
Adjective
  • How much tactile data will be required for breakthroughs in dexterous tasks remains unclear.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Cherki, as ever, was a lot of fun to watch and unlucky not to score with a shot that hit the post after some dexterous footwork.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of dexterous
Adjective
  • Alongside the luxury of the town, built on a former Greek and Phoenician colony, is its artistic and literary history.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The Busan Award, presented across five categories, best film, best director, special jury prize, best actor and artistic contribution, carries total prize money of KRW110 million($80,350).
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of artistic
Adjective
  • The tiebreak saw them trade mistakes, punctuated by a jaw-dropping point of lunging, acrobatic improvisation that Shelton won with a deft lob that sent Alcaraz sliding with his back to the net.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Giannetos is the artist behind Amal’s covetable hair, who crafted more boho brunette shades of caramel-brown and deft, light layers for the lawyer and humanitarian this summer.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of deft

Browse Nearby Words

adrift
adroit
adroitly
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Cite this Entry

“Adroit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adroit. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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