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

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 But as with the greatest rom-coms, this one belongs to the lovebirds Barbaro and Turner, two of this generation’s finest, most dexterous actors. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026 Instead of dexterous hands, Threehalves uses quick-connect tool interfaces that supply 12-volt, 18-volt, or 48-volt electrical power along with pressurized air directly to attached equipment. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2026 The reparations movement has been dexterous and incisive, and transnationalism has been key in the reparations movement. — Literary Hub, 27 July 2026 The forepaws of raccoon are extremely dexterous and sensitive, and occupy a large portion of their brain’s motor cortex, like that of people. — Kelly Lambert, The Conversation, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dexterous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dexterous

Adjective

The annual cost for a private room in a skilled nursing facility in North Carolina was $129,575 a year or $10,798 a month, according to Genworth Cost of Care survey data.

— Anna Roman, Charlotte Observer, 14 Sep. 2026
Data center construction is increasing competition for skilled workers in the region, according to survey results from the Associated General Contractors of America.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of skilled

Adjective

Through 107 career games, Minten’s profile has leaned more toward dependable cello player than virtuoso first violinist.

— Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Bellow felt an affinity with Kennedy’s combination of low-life high jinks, human frailty, and virtuoso style.

— Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of virtuoso

Adjective

But be that guy that can be skillful, a bruiser, fast and tough.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026
As Musashi scrambles through a school of Samurai, the game seamlessly bounces between skillful swordplay, rowdy improvisation, and Looney Tunes-style levity.

— Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of skillful

Adjective

These are the glimmers of something in the fringes that keep The Cherry Orchard, even in our age of jonesing to burn it all down, so miraculously delicate and devastating.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Rich Handel, resident laundry expert at Consumer Reports, warns that mixing heavy fabrics like denim with delicate garments increases friction and degrades the softer material.

— Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of delicate

Adjective

But the heart of this story is the toxic years-long romance between Marjorie and her co-conspirator Bill Rothstein (David Harbour), an equally cunning player who was blinded by love.

— Glenn Garner, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026
Supporters of the administration view this back and forth as a cunning ploy to buy time for the United States to position itself more advantageously for a confrontation.

— Leonard A. Schuette, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of cunning

Adjective

Giannetos is the artist behind Amal’s covetable hair, who crafted more boho brunette shades of caramel-brown and deft, light layers for the lawyer and humanitarian this summer.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
Wyler directs this serpentine, amiable comedy with a deft hand, intricately drawing out the fine details that make the whole heist operation tick.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of deft

Adjective

Alongside the luxury of the town, built on a former Greek and Phoenician colony, is its artistic and literary history.

— Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026
The Busan Award, presented across five categories, best film, best director, special jury prize, best actor and artistic contribution, carries total prize money of KRW110 million($80,350).

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of artistic

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dexterity

dexterous

dexterously

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“Dexterous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dexterous. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of dexterous

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