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
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
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
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
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
Sarah, a dab hand at deflecting sexism and maintaining her professional composure, takes the microphone and expresses her excitement at being on board.
—Justin Chang Film Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2020
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
Lily Templeton, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019
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
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
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
Sarah, a dab hand at deflecting sexism and maintaining her professional composure, takes the microphone and expresses her excitement at being on board.
—Justin Chang Film Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2020
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dab hand
Noun
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Even if a patient doesn’t have the budget to meet their aesthetic treatment goals, an expert can at least guide them to best at-home skincare and practices.—
Dahvi Shira,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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Many lawmakers and industry experts around the country have also deemed EV mandates unworkable due to insufficient charging infrastructure.—
Albert R. Wynn,
Baltimore Sun,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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When the call came from the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, the master tailor and artist was surprised and emotional.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Select one platform and master it rather than spreading yourself too thin.—
Vicky Owens,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Møller had an initial career as a literary scholar, then spent many years as a politician, and is now back to writing.—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Wine scholars among us will recognize this as a mix of red and white grapes, with white allowed only in very small amounts.—
Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen,
Robb Report,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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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
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The result is that just these English words, representing just this original document, make for a new and somewhat undiscovered book, even to Marxist adepts.—
Benjamin Kunkel,
Harpers Magazine,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Hashing things out with his tech wizard brother-in-law Maury (a shaggy Guy Pearce), Karsh wonders if ecological protesters or religious groups or competitors are upset with his global expansion plans, which include a lava field in Iceland.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
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Indeed, Wei advocates the CPA profession for not just math wizards, but anyone who aspires to lead a major corporation, citing a Fortune 500 study that found 38.5 percent of CEOs of the 500 had some kind of accounting background.—
Steel Rose, CPA,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The artwork inside the Sistine Chapel While the exterior of the Sistine Chapel is muted, it is regarded for its majestic interior, as the walls and ceiling are decorated with frescoes created by many Florentine Renaissance artists.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
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Luke is a true risk-taker, always a champion of the artist.—
Lori Majewski,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Also on the bill: R&B powerhouse Ledisi; actor and singer Leslie Odom Jr.; and guitar virtuoso Orianthi; as well as previously announced performer, composer and bandleader Jon Batiste.—
Paul Grein,
Billboard,
23 Apr. 2025
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He’s earned international esteem as a bandleader and collaborator with other singular artists like Afro-Swiss harmonica virtuoso Grégoire Maret, Japanese piano star Hiromi, and Cuban reed great Paquito D’Rivera.—
Andrew Gilbert,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The lifestyle guru served an infamous five-month sentence for lying to federal investigators about a stock sale.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
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That started a conversation with our lead tech and projection guru, Chapin Cutler, [co-founder] of Boston Light & Sound.—
Bill Desowitz,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dab hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab%20hand. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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