DAB HAND Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

dab hand

noun

Definition of dab hand

chiefly British

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 dab hand The actor and director remains a dab hand at occasion dressing. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 13 Sep. 2025 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 Van Norden, a dab hand with Shakespeare, is a natural for Shaw. — Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2024 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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dab hand

Noun

They are usually still protected by maternal antibodies, experts say.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
The Rockefeller Foundation has just published a policy proposal – developed in partnership with leading experts – that details how a Growth and Investment Reset could work.

— Masood Ahmed, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of expert

Noun

No one gets out of this world without becoming a master of the art of losing, to invoke the poet Elizabeth Bishop.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Supporting this remarkable local treasure offers a rare chance to experience authentic culinary artistry from a true master.

— Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of master

Noun

The scholar Colin Burrow, discussing Helen Vendler recently, described the goal of criticism as telling other people how good something is.

— Lola Seaton, The New York Review of Books, 17 Oct. 2026
Sabrina came from a high-status family of scholars, and Phillip, the struggling musician and child of butchers, wasn’t enough for her family.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of scholar

Noun

Still, the question of what Ebel was doing with his adepts swept through Prussia, dominating the newspapers that had only recently begun to emerge from their eighteenth-century chronicling of obligations to a more modern publicizing role.

— Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Lest things get predictable, Tasjan’s adept at letting the music battle with the lyrics in a way that hints at how any experience is far more complex than we are led to believe.

— Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 17 July 2026

Definition of adept

Noun

Pittol is an ice cream wizard, capable of distilling the essence of nearly any flavor into frozen dessert form.

— Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Since his host has a strict rule about using human avatars in this environment, the bad guy now presents as the gentleman from The Blacklist rocking a wizard’s beard.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of wizard

Noun

Much has been made of Winter’s idiosyncratic star power, and as an extremely tall, wet-dog-handsome instrumental virtuoso with a one-of-a-kind voice and just enough self-aware wit and lacerating lyricism to keep it relatable, that’s indisputable.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
The Field family relocated to London, and John studied with the Italian virtuoso Muzio Clementi.

— Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of virtuoso

Noun

But growth in service revenue has moderated this year, and the promotion of Ternus, a hardware and product guru, signals a return to the company’s roots.

— Andrew R. Chow, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
And Lewis’ combine measurables have always been a major red flag for another local QB guru, Warren McCarty of Warrior Football.

— Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of guru

Browse Nearby Words

dabbling

dab hand

dab hands

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Style

“Dab hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab%20hand. Accessed 23 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of dab hand

noun

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