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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in virtuoso
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
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
But if his gestures were free-floating, his linguistic prowess remained dense and dexterous.
—Sarah Moroz, Pitchfork, 12 Nov. 2025
There are swift, serpentine vines dexterous enough to snatch Dek’s supplies; combustible little slugs that detonate like grenades when triggered; and exotic flowers that swell up and squirt paralyzing darts when something approaches.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
Its seven-degree-of-freedom robotic arm is paired with dexterous hands that can sense pressure changes and perform delicate movements.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dexterous
Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 2 Dec. 2025
But if his gestures were free-floating, his linguistic prowess remained dense and dexterous.
—Sarah Moroz, Pitchfork, 12 Nov. 2025
There are swift, serpentine vines dexterous enough to snatch Dek’s supplies; combustible little slugs that detonate like grenades when triggered; and exotic flowers that swell up and squirt paralyzing darts when something approaches.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
Its seven-degree-of-freedom robotic arm is paired with dexterous hands that can sense pressure changes and perform delicate movements.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dexterous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dexterous
Adjective
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Its approach not only delivers at scale, but also strengthens supply chains, creates skilled jobs, and supports a circular energy economy—proof that innovation and responsibility can advance together.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
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But when a great concept meets a skilled showrunner, the results can be magnetic, as with these outstanding spooky series.—
David Faris,
TheWeek,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
McIntosh, a brilliant composer who has a sideline as a virtuoso early-music violinist, revelled in the microtonal shadings that Feldman built into his notation.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
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Six points clear of Manchester City and Villa, Arsenal can boast form and — for the first time in a while — fitness, with Declan Rice marking his return to the lineup with a virtuoso two-goal display against Bournemouth.—
Jack Bantock,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The Dynamics of Leadership and Followership The military rigorously develops individuals in both leading and supporting roles, not through blind obedience, but through skillful contribution.—
Heather V. MacArthur,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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Unlike the times Fidel Castro maneuvered his way out of crises, Cuba’s current leadership has proved less skillful, more prone to inaction, and notoriously less popular than the late Cuban dictator.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Grafting is a delicate, if not altogether tricky, experimental process.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Jan. 2026
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Its blend of grapefruit, lemon, and orange packs a zesty punch, while the jasmine base note adds a delicate, soft undertone.—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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His initial rise to fame came from playing cunning and ruthless centuries-old vampire Eric Northman on True Blood.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Jan. 2026
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They’re built up to be these impossibly deadly and evil and cunning foes, and then our much less impressive heroes manage to take them down through grit and determination or just dumb luck.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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As Powell — one of Capitol Hill’s most adroit navigators — made his rounds, Republicans on both sides of the Capitol panned the investigation.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
13 Jan. 2026
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The OptiPlex 7020 is one in its nearly endless line of business towers, and this one has a surprisingly adroit loadout in terms of components.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Jimmy Butler used his smarts and muscle to carve out space for tricky shots and deft passes.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
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This is pure, unsullied Sicily at its best before even the Ancient Greeks got their deft hands on the island.—
Rosalyn Wikeley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The French Armenian fashion designer, who has served as the artistic director of the maison’s menswear division for 38 years, presented her final collection at the Palais Brongniart in Paris on Saturday.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
26 Jan. 2026
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Hastie recently joined the National Theatre as deputy artistic director.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dexterous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dexterous. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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