variants
also dextrous
1
as in handy
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
2
as in skillful
accomplished with trained ability
dexterous handling of a potentially embarrassing situation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of dexterous
Then there was her dexterous ability at playing two pianos at once.
—
Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 20 Feb. 2025
Moving safely from the clouds to this perch required a steep angle, a dexterous pilot, and passengers more afraid of missing the film festival than of death upon impact.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025
The rest of Lamar’s halftime performance showed off the dexterous rhymes for which he’s been known since the early 2010s.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2025
Like any dexterous toddler, Lindsay would have moved her hands around while riding her mother’s back — but Beryl is missing an eye.
—Brandon Keim, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dexterous
Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 20 Feb. 2025
Moving safely from the clouds to this perch required a steep angle, a dexterous pilot, and passengers more afraid of missing the film festival than of death upon impact.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025
The rest of Lamar’s halftime performance showed off the dexterous rhymes for which he’s been known since the early 2010s.
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2025
Like any dexterous toddler, Lindsay would have moved her hands around while riding her mother’s back — but Beryl is missing an eye.
—Brandon Keim, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dexterous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dexterous
Adjective
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Being a tourist is handy both as a plot device and as a metaphor for fiction, no?—
Deborah Treisman,
New Yorker,
18 May 2025
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The duo’s versatility will come in super handy while entertaining.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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Newton’s jewels are alive with her mastery of design, composition, skillful use of materials, and an instinct for creating irresistible objects.—
Kyle Roderick,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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The show’s real draw is its cast, which expands to include Matthew Rhys as a troubled detective, and a skillful adaptation that highlights the glossiest, cleverest elements of classic Christie—and adds a pinch of eros.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The area’s labor pool can satisfy practically any employer’s requirements, from upper management, technical and office workers to skilled employees for the production line.—
Rohit Arora,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
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While patients and providers say teletherapy is effective and easier to get than in-person services, experts in the field noted that teletherapy often requires a skilled mental health practitioner trained to pick up subtle communication cues.—
Phillip Reese,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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The look was designed by Tolu Coker, a British-Nigerian designer celebrated for masterful tailoring that fuses masculine aesthetics with feminine silhouettes, brought to life through loud, vivid patterns.—
Essence,
Essence,
9 May 2025
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Draymond Green scored early and orchestrated the Warriors’ masterful defense, coach Steve Kerr adapted on the fly and Jimmy Butler led the offense down the stretch.—
Pueng Vongs,
Mercury News,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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For apartment dwellers and people who prefer not to dangle midair, this clever contraption looks like a window-cleaning game changer.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 May 2025
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The story centers on 16-year-old Haymitch (Joseph Zada), a clever and resourceful boy from District 12, who’s unexpectedly chosen for this edition of the games, which will feature a deadly twist: twice the number of tributes, with 48 children sent into the arena to battle for their lives.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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The long-running film franchise first started with 1993's Sniper starring Tom Berenger as expert American gunner Thomas Beckett.—
Christopher Rudolph,
People.com,
10 May 2025
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Subscribe to the Life Kit newsletter for expert advice on love, money, relationships and more.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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In real life, most would-be Proud Boys don’t have cunning, progressive housemates who will throw away their gun parts.—
Amy Weiss-Meyer,
The Atlantic,
8 May 2025
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Premiering in January 2023, The Traitors has gone on to widespread acclaim, even winning Emmys for Outstanding Reality Competition Program and Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program (Alan Cumming on cunning form).—
Griff Griffin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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This transformation requires a delicate balancing act.—
Miles Ward,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
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Wirtz is focused more on the micro, with delicate touches and deft flicks, compared to Szoboszlai’s macro traits of energy and power.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dexterous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dexterous. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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