opposable
adjective
op·pos·able
ə-ˈpō-zə-bəl 
1
: capable of being opposed or resisted
2
: capable of being placed against one or more of the remaining digits of a hand or foot
the opposable human thumb
Examples of opposable in a Sentence
Humans have an opposable thumb.
Recent Examples on the Web
This could be the app version of convergent evolution, which led humans and koalas to each have opposable thumbs.
—
Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2024
Thumb opposition isn’t unique to humans, and in fact an opposable thumb facilitates the enhanced grasping abilities of many primates.
—Sabrina Sholts, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024
Its wide eyes and opposable thumbs help the pygmy slow loris move around the forest in the night, searching for tasty insects.
—USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024
The ability to occlude the thumb is the key to the magic trick, so the thumb must be opposable.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 4 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for opposable 
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Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2024
Thumb opposition isn’t unique to humans, and in fact an opposable thumb facilitates the enhanced grasping abilities of many primates.
—Sabrina Sholts, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024
Its wide eyes and opposable thumbs help the pygmy slow loris move around the forest in the night, searching for tasty insects.
—USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024
The ability to occlude the thumb is the key to the magic trick, so the thumb must be opposable.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 4 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for opposable
Dictionary Entries Near opposable
Cite this Entry
“Opposable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opposable. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
opposable
adjective
op·pos·able
ə-ˈpō-zə-bəl
: capable of being placed against one or more of the remaining digits of a hand or foot
the opposable human thumb
Medical Definition
opposable
adjective
op·pos·able
ə-ˈpō-zə-bəl
: capable of being placed against one or more of the remaining digits of a hand or foot
an opposable thumb
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