variants also dextrous

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 The gloves themselves are low-profile and dexterous. Drew Zieff, Outside Online, 11 June 2025 Seals are known to use their highly sensitive and dexterous whiskers to navigate and hunt, but the role of visual perception is less studied. Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025 Equipped with dexterous whiskers, these pinnipeds use a suite of senses to navigate their surroundings with ease. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 29 May 2025 Williams playing somewhere around his All-Star level would certainly help, but fates should largely fall into the dexterous hands of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 18 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for dexterous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dexterous
Adjective
  • Also handy would be an ability to drive slow, short trips to recharge an electric car.
    Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Amazon $100 Asus $110 Walmart $100 Best Buy A travel router is handy on the road or vacation, and the Asus RT-AX57 Go is our current top pick.
    Simon Hill, Wired News, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • But despite those skillful trappings, the story soon feels ponderous.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 July 2025
  • And there was also skillful attention to the right marketing and distribution details.
    Andrew Tobias, Vulture, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • Many of these apprentices were not skilled tradesmen.
    Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 22 July 2025
  • The same is true of pickleball, where a skilled player with the right paddle can cause problems for an opponent.
    Martin Cizmar, Wired News, 20 July 2025
Adjective
  • Beyond their records, Ali and Usyk share other similarities, such as brilliant footwork, masterful defense and an Einstein-level boxing IQ.
    Anthony Stitt, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • Known for his signature visual style and masterful tension-building in crime stories, Kim now turns his lens to the glamorous yet cutthroat world of K-Pop, exploring the fierce desires and ambitions that drive it.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 July 2025
Adjective
  • The bar is a buzzy and boozy affair from 5 to 6 p.m. daily, where guests and locals gather in a ritualistic ceremony to visit and try some of the clever cocktails (like the Tropical Storm and Drunken Pimento) for which Ooshan has become known.
    Paula Conway, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Olympia’s ex-husband, Julian (Jason Ritter), the son of the firm’s head (Beau Bridges), is intrigued by Matty and her clever skills.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • Jesse Nelson, store manager at Family Tree Nursery in Shawnee, shared some expert advice for local gardeners on how to keep your annuals healthy when things get hot.
    Tammy Ljungblad, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2025
  • However, such expert predictions should be taken with a grain of salt, as researchers have consistently been surprised by the rapid pace of AI capability advancement.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 8 July 2025
Adjective
  • Honest Abe is forced to scheme, relying on grit and cunning to win the votes to abolish slavery.
    EW Staff Published, EW.com, 4 July 2025
  • Of all the acts, though, Sudanese American vocalist Dua Saleh was the most subdued, swaying between heart-fluttering falsettos and cunning raps.
    Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Tasters enjoyed Canada Dry’s balance of flavors, noting that its delicate citrus played well with a sharp bitter note on the back of their tongues.
    Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 July 2025
  • For instance, delicate fabrics like wool, silk, or linen will likely have different washing requirements than white cotton garments.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 12 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dexterous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dexterous. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

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