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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
Some states have instituted requirements for websites with adult or pornographic content to verify visitors' age before granting access, although tech experts have pointed out VPNs can be used to get around those guardrails.—
Arpan Lobo,
Freep.com,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The Asheville Citizen Times asked a public policy expert about the shutdown.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Bettany played English poet and writer Geoffrey Chaucer in the medieval action-comedy, which starred Ledger as William Thatcher, a peasant squire, fueled by his desire for food and glory, who forges a new identity for himself as a knight when his master dies.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The show, starring Ricardo Gómez and Óscar Jaenada, explores the friendship between a shy young man preparing for the application tests for public office while working as a part-time taxi driver and a master bullfighter.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In recent months, as despotism intensified an increasing number of writers, scholars, and thinkers were declared foreign agents, and their books were taken off the shelves.—
Nina Khrushcheva,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Dozens of press freedom groups and more than 100 leading writers, journalists and scholars called for Guevara’s release from ICE detention.—
Liam Reilly,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Production began on the series in July, and HBO celebrated with the first picture of Dominic McLaughlin, who has inherited the role from Daniel Radcliffe, in costume as the titular wizard.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Daily Mail photographers captured pictures this week showing Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley running into a wizard while on break from his job as the director of Grunnings, a company that makes drills.—
Evan Bell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Cave is a professor at the School of The Art Institute of Chicago in addition to being an artist.—
Duante Beddingfield,
Freep.com,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Brown is the tour's headlining artist, with singer/rappers Jhene Aiko and Bryson Tiller also on the bill.—
John Beifuss,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Your little virtuoso can also activate the pixel piano player mode that builds and displays cool versions of their favorite animals.—
Pamela Brill,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Earlier, John Mayer opened with an easygoing, hour-long set interspersed with his moments of virtuoso guitar heat.—
Brian McCollum,
Freep.com,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Closing night film, psychological thriller Guru, stars Pierre Niney as a charismatic and manipulative self-help guru, with the cast also featuring Marion Barbeau, Anthony Bajon and Holt McCallany.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
30 Sep. 2025
-
As Klopp goes all big picture, more leadership guru than tactics guru, his world is becoming broader.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dab hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab%20hand. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share