1
as in ability
mental skill or quickness
the ambassador showed great dexterity in his handling of the touchy situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in agility
ease and grace in physical activity
the juggler needed lots of dexterity in order to keep all five balls in the air at the same time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dexterity
Water flossers, says Nguyen, can provide real benefits to those without the manual dexterity to use floss—for example, people with hand tremors, Parkinson’s disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.
—
Anne Ewbank, Popular Science, 1 Apr. 2026
Prior research has shown that cognitive decline in elderly people can affect their situational awareness as well as delay decision their making, while reduced dexterity in these populations can become worse in high-stress situations, such as a plane fire.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
The plays are characterized by their uncompromising portrayals of the Black experience and the playwright’s dexterity of language.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
The two competitions rolled out over three days in Sin City, with the International Pizza Challenge centered on culinary skills while the World Pizza Games offered a chance for slice slingers to show off their acrobatic skills and dexterity.
—James Powel, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dexterity
Anne Ewbank, Popular Science, 1 Apr. 2026
Prior research has shown that cognitive decline in elderly people can affect their situational awareness as well as delay decision their making, while reduced dexterity in these populations can become worse in high-stress situations, such as a plane fire.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
The plays are characterized by their uncompromising portrayals of the Black experience and the playwright’s dexterity of language.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
The two competitions rolled out over three days in Sin City, with the International Pizza Challenge centered on culinary skills while the World Pizza Games offered a chance for slice slingers to show off their acrobatic skills and dexterity.
—James Powel, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dexterity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dexterity
Noun
-
Dispensaries on tribal land were the first to open because of their sovereignty and ability to make their own rules.—
Frankie McLister,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The day-long prohibition came less than a week after Middle District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell issued an order expanding Alligator Alcatraz detainees’ access to their lawyers and their ability to use phones at the remote pop-up facility.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Misa is a beautiful skater with some quiet explosiveness and a real knack for weaving, cutting, turning and spinning in control of the puck to either shake defenders under pressure in the offensive or defensive zone or slip past them in transition with his speed and agility.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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But Jackson is different with the rare combination of size, agility, speed and physicality.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Jerry thinks this move will drive a wedge between Reggie — who left the sport after a gambling scandal and as a result has never gotten proper recognition for his prowess on the field — and Rusty, who only ever attempted 12 field goals, two of which hit children in the face.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2026
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The Fox Valley has lost a war hero – not the kind who fought the enemy with military prowess but who waged her battles with a fierce faith in God and a heart that beat with joy and compassion.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Jude was painfully conscious of the despoiling of his creative talents.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
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First, the team is still on the bottom floor of its rebuild and still assessing its talent level.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This May Day push will not address the reading and math proficiency gaps present in CPS.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
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The Gulfton-area middle school was dedicated to recent immigrant and refugee students with little or no English language proficiency.—
Claire Partain,
Houston Chronicle,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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While that gizmo promised that just two sharp cracks from a pair of human hands could turn any electronic device on or off, sonogenetics requires significantly more finesse.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
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But her facilitating skills could use some finesse.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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There’s enough aptitude on the roster and the front office to make a wild-card bid work.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
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Mark Ruffin, a onetime music director at WBEE, recalled Alston’s enterprising nature and her aptitude for sales.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Barely keeping the lights on is hardly a show of stewardship, let alone competence.—
Kathryn Anne Edwards,
Twin Cities,
14 Apr. 2026
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But the former controller, despite her air of competence and decency, hasn’t been able to attract support above the low single digits.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dexterity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dexterity. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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