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
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
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
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But experts remain skeptical about Martínez’s theory of a burial connected to Taposiris Magna.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
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Since chimps are more like humans than cats or dogs, a unique blend of human and veterinary medicine was necessary to find the right surgical approach, experts said.—
Lauren Liebhaber,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Newcomers include Manny Jacinto as Renato, the North Pole’s resident massage therapist and holistic healer; Dulcé Sloan as Janice, a North Pole post office clerk; and Danny Pudi as Chef Geoff, the master chef at the Fruitcake Factory.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Sep. 2025
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On the first day of Milan Fashion Week, LVMH Métiers d’Excellence and Thélios hosted the awards ceremony of the Maestri d’Eccellenza Prize craftsmanship competition, dedicated to Italian master artisans, revealing an all-female lineup of winners.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Eisgruber, who is a scholar of constitutional law, believes that Sullivan is the cornerstone of American free-speech law.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
26 Sep. 2025
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And in that present, Fugazi’s drummer, a scholar of caste, and a border reporter are no longer distant figures.—
Javier Garcia del Moral
September 26,
Literary Hub,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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An effective trustee is skilled in conflict resolution and adept at maintaining open communication while prioritizing the trust’s objectives.—
Royce Ramey,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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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
Noun
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No one has lived on a distant planet, in the far future, or any place where dragons or wizards rule—so, kudos to anyone who can make such realms feel truly lived in.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
18 Sep. 2025
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The goal isn’t to turn you into a prompt‑writing wizard, but rather to give you the ability to ask the kinds of questions that cut through jargon and force clarity.—
Sarah Stockdale,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Indian artist Subodh Gupta built a yurta from enamel pots and plates crafted by master ceramist Baxtiyor Nazirov.—
Dada Jovanovic,
ABC News,
28 Sep. 2025
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Though the area’s artist warehouses and businesses had to close, like the old-school Irish pub Maguire’s Hill 16, Kennedy said no residents were displaced by the project.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
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His five collections and dozens of uncollected short stories also show a virtuoso at work and play.—
Jane Ciabattari
September 25,
Literary Hub,
25 Sep. 2025
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Fast forward 20 years — and travel a couple hundred miles northeast — and readers meet Lottie Thomas, a 16-year-old piano virtuoso in New York with a lot on her mind.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Speculation about OpenAI’s forthcoming AI-native hardware has been rampant since Jony Ive, the longtime Apple’s design guru, joined the company via an acquisition back in May.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
22 Sep. 2025
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The lifestyle guru wore a polished olive green matching set complete with a chocolate brown handbag.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dab hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab%20hand. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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