Synonyms of dexterous

dexterous

adjective

ˈdek-st(ə-)rəs 

variants also dextrous

1

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

• skilled
• skillful
• cunning
• deft
• proficient
• capable
• adept
• clever
• handy
• graceful
• agile
• nimble
• competent
• limber
• able
• lithe
• flexible
• spry
• expert
• masterful
• coordinated
• qualified
• masterly
• lissome
• lithesome
• sure-handed
• habile
• loose-jointed
• double-jointed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• clumsy
• wooden
• unhandy
• handless
• ungainly
• uncomfortable
• awkward
• stiff
• uneasy
• heavy-handed
• ungraceful
• gawky
• klutzy
• stilted
• gauche
• graceless
• fumbling
• uncoordinated
• rough-hewn
• ham-fisted
• incompetent
• ham-handed
• butterfingered
• incapable
• inept
• inexpert
• bungling
• maladroit

2

as in virtuoso

accomplished with trained ability

dexterous handling of a potentially embarrassing situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

• virtuoso
• skillful
• delicate
• adroit
• artistic
• smooth
• masterful
• expert
• deft
• artful
• masterly
• workmanlike
• practiced
• bravura
• adept
• creative
• ingenious
• clever
• cunning
• capable
• competent
• facile
• neat
• adequate
• fancy
• able

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• amateur
• crude
• artless
• clumsy
• unprofessional
• amateurish
• rude
• awkward
• ineffective
• unskillful
• ineffectual
• incompetent
• klutzy
• inept

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

Recent Examples of dexterous

Schultz brings digitalism back to its dexterous roots, paying homage to the hands that assembled the virtual realm. — Lua Vollaard, ARTnews.com, 24 June 2026

The platform combines autonomous navigation with dexterous manipulation, enabling it to transport materials, interact with workers, and perform precision tasks in industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, electronics assembly, and automotive production. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 June 2026

Beyond remote control, the team sees a path toward using the wristband to build huge datasets of human motion that could eventually enable humanoids to learn dexterous tasks without human guidance. — ABC News, 9 June 2026

Goats are famously fantastic climbers, and their dextrous hooves were the inspiration behind the grippy lugs on the Speedgoat 6 Sneakers. — Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2026

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