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
-
The repeal eliminates all greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars and trucks and could unleash a broader undoing of climate regulations on stationary sources such as power plants and oil and gas facilities, experts say.—
MATTHEW DALY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Lanier argued the filters could harm teens’ perceptions of themselves, saying experts consulted by Meta reached that same conclusion.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
They were carved with patriotic love by a Texas sculptor who studied in Paris under a French modern master and envisioned as the polished centerpieces of a $10 million park, but now sit in a Virginia field as an offbeat, reservations-only, roadside tourist draw.—
Danielle Paquette The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Rick likens his son’s interactions with the media to those of Bill Belichick, the legendary football coach and master of the monosyllabic press conference.—
Tom Kludt,
Vanity Fair,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Kaitlyn Purcell is a Dene artist, writer, and postdoctoral scholar (University of Calgary).—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Using this type of design, scholars found little migration response among millionaires after New Jersey raised top tax rates, which generated substantial revenue.—
Christopher Marquis,
Time,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, Alouette has become an adept of dye recipes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Animal physiologist Peter Hansen, a professor at the University of Florida who was not involved with the Veronika research, said he’s unsurprised by her adept handling of tools given the high levels of cognition he’s observed in cows.—
Leslie Katz,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
For years, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has been a wizard at designing blitzes that fool quarterbacks.—
Sam McDowell
February 5,
Kansas City Star,
5 Feb. 2026
-
That was until April 2016, when Universal Studios Hollywood unveiled its own 200-foot-tall Hogwarts castle inspired by the beloved wizard.—
Kailyn Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Vanguard Award was bestowed upon Emmy-nominated make up artist Michael Johnston, a pioneering force in children’s and teen television for more than three decades.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Rama Duwaji is New York’s first lady, an artist, illustrator, and bona fide fashion girl.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Beside me stood Laura, our trumpet virtuoso, a freshman who played with silky sophistication.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Just like any virtuoso, Greenberg needs a stage.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Brad Inman, the real-estate entrepreneur–turned–longevity guru who founded Livelong Media questions whether Kottikollon’s resources can sustain a global network.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
14 Feb. 2026
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And in consulting with Dane Brugler, The Athletic’s draft guru, at least one of these picks might have been a little too optimistic.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dab hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab%20hand. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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