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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Although state wildlife agencies and experts have noted that black bear attacks remain extremely rare, interactions in recent years have drawn national attention.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
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There are a few items our experts say are acceptable to hang up or place on a drying rack to dry naturally instead of tossing in the dryer.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
27 June 2025
Noun
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The Skokie native works at Google and recently graduated from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management with a master’s degree in business administration, according to her campaign.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
24 June 2025
-
Twelve percent have master’s degrees or higher, compared with 14% nationally.—
Jeff A. Chamer,
Charlotte Observer,
24 June 2025
Noun
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The paper was published last month by a team of computer scientists and legal scholars from Stanford, Cornell, and West Virginia University.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
20 June 2025
-
But some, including legal scholars from New York University’s Brennan Center, have argued a potential loophole exists unless Congress bans using the National Guard to enforce the law in other states without gubernatorial consent.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
19 June 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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Dressed in wizard garb, Sartain introduced B-movies and performed comedy skits under the show name The Uncanny Film Festival and Camp Meeting.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
20 June 2025
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On a recent afternoon, comedic magician Justin Willman sits in a plush, burgundy velvet chair fit for a wizard, soaking in the gravitas of a place known for carrying sacred magic texts signed by Harry Houdini.—
Nate Jackson,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2025
Noun
-
Lee did return at the age of 18 and grew into the iconic martial artist and film star known across the world.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
29 June 2025
-
The show remains up through July 24 with an artists' reception, 5-8 p.m. July 18.—
Eric E. Harrison,
Arkansas Online,
28 June 2025
Noun
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He’s been a glamorous Visual Kei rock star, a classical composer, a virtuoso behind the drum kit, a producer and label owner and entrepreneur, and now, more than ever, an impresario.—
Steve Appleford,
Variety,
17 June 2025
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Little Feat, the archetypal ’70s band originally formed by Lowell George — a guitar virtuoso fired from the Mothers of Invention by Frank Zappa — has survived years of breakups, drug problems and even George’s untimely death in 1979.—
Dave Brooks,
Billboard,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Audun Amundsen’s documentary Click the Link Below, exploring the world of high-rolling digital marketing and lifestyle gurus, world premieres at the DocEdge festival in New Zealand this week and Deadline can reveal the trailer.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
26 June 2025
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The first five gurus, a succession of prophet-leaders, likely donned the seli topi, a woven cap worn by Hindus and Muslims and associated with humility and spiritual living.—
Manvir Singh,
New Yorker,
21 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dab hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab%20hand. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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