variants also dextrous

Synonym Chooser

How is the word dexterous different from other adjectives like it?

The words adroit and deft are common synonyms of dexterous. While all three words mean "ready and skilled in physical movement," dexterous implies expertness with consequent facility and quickness in manipulation.

unrolled the sleeping bag with a dexterous toss

In what contexts can adroit take the place of dexterous?

The words adroit and dexterous can be used in similar contexts, but adroit implies dexterity but usually also stresses resourcefulness or artfulness or inventiveness.

the magician's adroit response to the failure of her prop won applause

Where would deft be a reasonable alternative to dexterous?

While in some cases nearly identical to dexterous, deft emphasizes lightness, neatness, and sureness of touch or handling.

a surgeon's deft manipulation of the scalpel

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 dexterous Wednesday whisked the dexterous appendage and his digits to her Uncle Fester, who wass sleeping in Eugene’s bee shed, to revive him with his electric shock ability. Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2025 By creating a fuller picture which centers Medusa in her own story, Hynes creates a more dexterous Medusa, one imbued with more agency and less tragedy. Irenosen Okojie july 11, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025 Making a hand that is as dexterous as a human one is one of the biggest challenges in robotics. Bloomberg, Oc Register, 13 June 2025 Kristin Chenoweth and Aaron Tveit both gave pitch-perfect on-the-spot deliveries as Erivo held out her microphone to them, but the most memorable was definitely Lambert, who blew the crowd away with spontaneous, dexterous riffs. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for dexterous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dexterous
Adjective
  • This handy kit comes with more than 30 travel-sized pouches of meds for any ailment, including Pepto-Bismol, ibuprofen, allergy relievers, decongestants, and more.
    Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guide to this Friday’s most essential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playlists this weekend and beyond.
    Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The skillful craftsmanship of the artists is amazing, and the story is also great.
    Billboard Japan, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Sarandos, who in shaping the era’s most successful Big Tech entrant to Hollywood has always been a skillful communicator, gave a telling answer.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Snider navigates the complex intersections of addiction with class, sexuality, masculinity, and family bonds with skilled generosity in this powerful fourth collection.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The older de Ridder, who turns 23 in January, is originally from Belgium and was one of the best young players in the tough Spanish ACB last season as a skilled four who can defend, move without the ball and knock down shots from the perimeter.
    Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The former first round pick in the 2024 MLB draft had a masterful outing, finishing with 12 strikeouts, which broke Don Newcombe’s rookie record for the most in a World Series start, set in 1949.
    Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
  • But Martin McDonagh’s masterful comedy starts off like a drama, then becomes a romance, then a thriller, before revealing itself to have been an existential morality tale all along.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Fox’s costume is certainly clever — and on brand for Halloween — if not exactly tasteful.
    James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 31 Oct. 2025
  • The decor is relatively spare, allowing the natural materials to shine and emphasizing clever design tricks like the dining-table bench built into the back of the kitchen island.
    Tori Latham, Robb Report, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Subscribe to the Life Kit newsletter for expert advice on love, money, relationships and more.
    NPR, NPR, 30 Oct. 2025
  • For full daily and monthly horoscopes as well as expert readings, see our full Horoscopes experience.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Fueled by vengeance and cunning ambition, Ashur rises from betrayal and bloodshed to seize power, gouging out a place for the House of Ashur in a new arena full of violence, desire, and twisted loyalty.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
  • The elaborate scheme, masterminded by members of four Mafia families in collusion with celebrity athletes, ensnared unsuspecting victims, bleeding them of over $7 million through cunning deception, prosecutors said in the indictment.
    Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Alastin’s Restorative Neck Complex is a lightweight cream made specifically for the delicate skin below the chin.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Practical considerations In a delicate political and cultural landscape, brands must walk a fine line in discussing the benefits of clean fashion without fueling panic and misinformation.
    Sophie Benson, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dexterous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dexterous. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

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