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

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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
  • Every day, the virtuoso violinist plays for an audience of travelers, with his stage in the pedestrian tunnel that links the CTA and parking garages to the terminals.
    — Noel Brennan, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • 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
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
  • Arcel is masterful in a character study whose protagonist is often unreadable and elusive — and whose previously unexposed inner cold streak proves catastrophic to her community.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 2026
  • This and countless other masterful texts explain why Freud, quite rightly, received the city of Frankfurt’s Goethe Prize.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of masterful
Adjective
  • The spa The boutique Spa al Mare is located across the street from the resort in a small standalone building, offering expert massage and facial treatments by top island therapists.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • For months, the Monitor repeatedly contacted the Saudi Heritage Commission for expert comment but did not receive a response.
    — Taylor Luck, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of expert
Adjective
  • Try a cider flight to experience several of Seminary Hill’s delicate and impressive ciders which range from semi-dry to dry and from still to sparkling.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
  • But Democrats don’t have to share the spotlight with the president, so their balancing acts are not as delicate as those confronting their Republican opponents.
    — Julio Borquez, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of delicate
Adjective
  • Baseball serves as a test platform for these underlying capabilities, with dexterous manipulation, the ability to handle objects skillfully and reliably, remaining the larger objective.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026
  • How much tactile data will be required for breakthroughs in dexterous tasks remains unclear.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of dexterous
Adjective
  • The original design, which debuted during artistic director Nicolas Ghesquière’s show, featured some yellow elements throughout, including at the bust layered effect and the minimal seams just beneath the bustline.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Artist Petersen recalled the artistic freedom that came from living in London squats (empty buildings without the owner’s permission).
    — Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of artistic
Adjective
  • Related Articles Botstein led Bard College from 1975 and was known as a deft fundraiser who helped earn the small institution global renown.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • In a deft bit of narrative maneuvering, Gerald’s voice breaking was written into the show; Jamil Walker Smith played the character for all five seasons and one movie.
    — Darryn King, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 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 15 Oct. 2026.

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