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
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
Benedict, meanwhile, is an expert colorist, a dab hand with print who knows all about decorative drama.
—Grace McCloud, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2023
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
That, perhaps, is a little less in the bag, but the Kremlin’s operatives are dab hands at suppressing protests and neutering the press.
—The Economist, 12 Mar. 2020
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
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
Benedict, meanwhile, is an expert colorist, a dab hand with print who knows all about decorative drama.
—Grace McCloud, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2023
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
That, perhaps, is a little less in the bag, but the Kremlin’s operatives are dab hands at suppressing protests and neutering the press.
—The Economist, 12 Mar. 2020
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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Real estate experts say claiming primary residences on different mortgages at the same time is often legal and rarely prosecuted.—
Robert Faturechi,
ProPublica,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Typically, a peer-review process is required where multiple experts in the field provide feedback on the analysis before a publication is possible.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In addition to a law degree, Lee also holds a master’s in meteorology.—
Ray Long,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
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Davis, 55, who originated the role of the best and most knowledgeable Charms master at Hogwarts, becomes the first actor from the blockbuster film franchise to reprise a character in the TV adaptation set for 2027 premiere.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Leading genocide scholars passed a resolution this week that declared Israel’s actions in Gaza had met the legal definition of genocide.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
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Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, meanwhile, is referred to by public scholars and media in a variety of ways that emphasize Russia or President Vladimir Putin as an aggressive antagonist.—
Esther Brito Ruiz,
The Conversation,
5 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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Quantrill, like other prominent Confederates such as the Ku Klux Klan’s first grand wizard, Nathan Bedford Forrest, was mythologized by Confederate sympathizers.—
Quentin Corpuel,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
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Released in 2004, the film follows Sophie, a quiet girl working in a hat shop, who finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome but mysterious wizard named Howl.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The actress-turned-artist also recently made an appearance in Italy for the 82nd Venice International Film Festival for the premiere of Kim Novak's Vertigo — and to accept the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement award.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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Her space doubles as a gallery for up-and-coming artists.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Jorge Luis Pacheco takes the Break room stage Saturday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. Hailing from Havana, Cuba, Pacheco is a virtuoso pianist, singer, composer, percussionist and arranger.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
24 Aug. 2025
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Born in East Harlem to Puerto Rican parents — and the younger brother of Charlie, another virtuoso keyboardist and bandleader — Palmieri reflected the city’s inner turmoil and avant-garde tendencies through a propulsive patchwork of jazz, Afro-Latin rhythms, funk, and psychedelia.—
Ernesto Lechner,
Rolling Stone,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Like college coaches, social media gurus work their way through the ranks of the industry, and in an age where all eyeballs can attract revenues and sponsorships and ultimately, more money in the pockets of players and recruits in a competitive marketplace, Lazarus and his colleagues are valuable.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
3 Sep. 2025
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Copy the lifestyle guru by picking up the blouse in army green, or choose from 19 additional colors, including black, khaki, navy, and beige — the latter color is the cheapest of the bunch.—
Averi Baudler,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dab hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab%20hand. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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