DEXTEROUS Synonyms: 83 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

dexterous

adjective

ˈdek-st(ə-)rəs

variants also dextrous

Definition of dexterous next

as in skilled

skillful with the hands the dexterous watchmaker was able to repair the antique watch's delicate gears and parts

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in virtuoso

accomplished with trained ability dexterous handling of a potentially embarrassing situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 In addition to their impressive brains, raccoons’ dexterous hands play a key role in their cognitively creative escapades. —

Kelly Lambert, Fortune, 16 Jan. 2026 The arms have seven degrees of freedom, which LG says matches a human arm, and the fingers on each hand are individually actuated, so the robot should be fairly dexterous. —

John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026 Evolution is part of the answer to why chimpanzees have such dexterous toes while ours seem much more clumsy. —

Steven Lautzenheiser, The Conversation, 8 Dec. 2025 There’s no real way to prevent the attacks, since the animals have dexterous hands and can remove most protective measures like nets or small fences. —

Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 2 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dexterous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dexterous

Adjective

Every industry now faces some form of scarcity – skilled labor, components, energy, fabrication capacity, or regulatory throughput.

— Travis Edmonds, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
Any of these pieces of equipment in the hands of a skilled operator should be able to make quick work of an average-sized stump.

— Daniel Scott, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2026