sleight of hand

noun phrase

1
a
: a cleverly executed trick or deception
b
: a conjuring trick requiring manual dexterity
2
a
: skill and dexterity in conjuring tricks
b
: adroitness in deception

Examples of sleight of hand in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
What Flanagan — and King — do is a sort of slow sleight of hand that mimics the emotional journey of Charles Krantz. Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 6 June 2025 That sleight of hand may have delighted shareholders, but was a major loss for music creators. Jem Aswad, Variety, 12 Mar. 2025 Google, likely knowing that, is resorting to all the usual sleights of hand. Joel Thayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025 One way to minimize the misinformation problem is to perform a sleight of hand by suggesting that something else is the real or bigger problem. Sander Van Der Linden, Time, 6 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sleight of hand

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sleight of hand was in 1593

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sleight of hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sleight%20of%20hand. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

sleight of hand

1
: skill especially in juggling or magic tricks
2
: a magic or juggling trick requiring skill with the hands
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