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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As an example, this leads to a greater understanding of signals and the integration of the communications expert into decision-making.—
Bill Edwards,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
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Heterosexuality is the norm, and experts say that creates the need to dedicate a month to LGBTQ+ visibility.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
3 June 2025
Noun
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Another master’s artistry is on display and open to tours at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House, located about two miles east of the museum on the other side of the park.—
David Allan,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
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Skills build on themselves, so children who don’t master kindergarten phonics or counting could remain behind in future grades.—
Claire Cain Miller,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Noun
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But few scholars have explored another trend: The growing number of people who’ve found that bonding with their pets becomes a spiritual experience.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
8 June 2025
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Utilizing the museum’s world-class library and archives, visitors can explore nearly every region and historic period of Asia and the Islamic world, and scholars will find value in exemplary objects as springboards for research.—
Yola Robert,
Forbes.com,
7 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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Epic Universe is populated with monsters, wizards, dragons and little guys named Mario and Luigi.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 June 2025
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There are four shops where aspiring wizards and curious muggles can check out — wizarding gear shop Les Galeries Mirifiques, candy shop K. Rammelle, wand shop Baguettes Magique and Ministry of Magic giftshop Tour En Floo.—
Samantha Neely,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
Noun
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The artist’s lifelong work of transcending barriers and charting new paths felt appropriate for Orlando, a city that crafts its own story through its melting pot of diverse residents, each with their own story to tell.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 June 2025
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The announcement of Glastonbury’s final lineup also coincides with the BBC’s plans to air artists’ sets, with the broadcaster telling British publication The i Paper that Kneecap’s performance will be included as part of their coverage.—
Tyler Jenke,
Billboard,
5 June 2025
Noun
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Imagine Jimi Hendrix also being a tuba virtuoso, or Andy Warhol also excelling on an Etch-A-Sketch.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
28 May 2025
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Dissatisfied with the quality of the day’s commercial recordings, Paul, who’d worked with pop stars including Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters, and was a guitar virtuoso and bandleader, endeavored to push the practice forward — to make recording a kind of erudite art form.—
Erin Osmon,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2025
Noun
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One year out from the 2026 primary, Democratic voters want their next governor to fight Trump, said voter data guru Paul Mitchell.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2025
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The promo also features longtime anchor Lara Spencer, with her daughter and dogs; weather guru Ginger Zee, visiting a local farmer’s market; Will Reeve with his wife; Rebecca Jarvis with her family; and veteran weather correspondent Sam Champion.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dab hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab%20hand. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
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