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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That said, Klint Kubiak does have a huge ace in the hole with the most skilled offensive player on the field in the league’s leading receiver, Jaxon Smith-Njigba.—
Hank Gola,
New York Daily News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The contest was a great battle between two very skilled teams.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 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
-
Rosenberg is careful to note that this doesn’t require abandoning values or discernment, but recognizing that beneath every expression — skillful, clumsy, or even hurtful — is an unmet need.—
Jasna Hodžić,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
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The music’s dizzying rhythmic variation is skillful and studied enough that its humor can’t be mistaken for gimmicky internet caricature.—
Rae-Aila Crumble,
Pitchfork,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Bring in Other Scents Scent can be introduced in a variety of ways, from candles and diffusers to delicate room sprays.—
Kate Donovan,
Martha Stewart,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Young boys cleaned test tubes, brawny machinists built gauges and mills, and scales delicate enough to weigh an inch of a spider's web.—
Natalia Sánchez Loayza,
Scientific American,
5 Feb. 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
-
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
-
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
-
There’s a sincerity to Spider-Man 3, combined with Raimi’s still deft understanding of Peter and Mary Jane’s relationship, that this film’s devotees point to in an attempt to reclaim it.—
James Grebey,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2026
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Like the previous film, Shuko Murase’s direction is deft and very subtle, with character progression handled delicately.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
30 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 7 Feb. 2026.
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