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
  • The 2003 recording that appears on 2009’s The Live Anthology box set is eight minutes long, with a virtuoso performance by keyboardist Benmont Tench on the lengthy instrumental bridge.
    — Al Shipley, SPIN, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The visual essay below features virtuoso examples of the techniques that designers have used to replicate the ideals of classical dress over the years, including draping, pleating, twisting, and wrapping.
    — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 16 July 2026
Definition of virtuoso
Adjective
  • Fortunately, her protégées—her grandnieces and other female students in the village—are skillful artists in their own right.
    — Marisol Delarosa, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Rogers is a skillful campaigner who might continue to capitalize on this strategy.
    — Michael Traugott, The Conversation, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of skillful
Adjective
  • Leo Tolstoy’s masterful epic—or one of them, at least—is about one woman’s scandals, passions, and ultimate tragedy, all set amid the tumult of late-19th century Russia.
    — Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Tributes poured in for Wright over the weekend, highlighting his masterful performances playing often wounded, complex characters.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of masterful
Adjective
  • Psychological research has shown that cognitive errors can arise in any domain, even by the most expert experts.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Sullivan said that there would be more expert testimony both from the defense and Commonwealth and that closing arguments could come on Monday or Tuesday.
    — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of expert
Adjective
  • The dishes are a light and succulent reinterpretation of Menorca’s gastronomic heritage with an emphasis on seafood and a delicate French accent.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Denker had a study done, based on races that took place on Belle Isle in Michigan, showing that IndyCars racing at full speed wouldn’t damage buildings more delicate than the ones around the Mall.
    — Adam Kilgore, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of delicate
Adjective
  • The bots will also be tested on trickier and more dextrous household and workplace tasks.
    — J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Unitree's product lineup spans bipedal humanoid robots that can walk and manipulate objects with dexterous hands, as well as four-legged robots used for tasks such as hazard detection.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of dexterous
Adjective
  • Favier, like her half-sister Victoire de Castellane (now artistic director of the jewelry department at Dior), was introduced to the world of fashion by her uncle Gilles Dufour, a close associate of Karl Lagerfeld’s at Chanel.
    — Pierre Groppo, Vanity Fair, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The French maison’s makeup line, known as La Beauté Louis Vuitton, tapped Nicolas Ghesquière (LV’s artistic director) and Pat McGrath (the house’s creative director for cosmetics) for its new limited-edition offering.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of artistic
Adjective
  • Iran has been subject to Western sanctions for years and has become deft at partially circumventing them.
    — Khaled Wassef, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • This will require synergy and deft management between private-sector innovation and public interests.
    — Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 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 27 Aug. 2026.

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