variants
also dextrous
1
as in handy
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 skillful
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
Moving safely from the clouds to this perch required a steep angle, a dexterous pilot, and passengers more afraid of missing the film festival than of death upon impact.
—
Daniel D'addario, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025
The octopus, with dexterous arms and camouflaging abilities, excels at extracting prey from crevices and hiding spots, commonly using a technique called a web-over.
—Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 3 Feb. 2025
Like any dexterous toddler, Lindsay would have moved her hands around while riding her mother’s back — but Beryl is missing an eye.
—Brandon Keim, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
He’s got dexterous tools catching, tipping and redirecting pucks on first touch.
—Scott Wheeler, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dexterous
Daniel D'addario, Variety, 17 Feb. 2025
The octopus, with dexterous arms and camouflaging abilities, excels at extracting prey from crevices and hiding spots, commonly using a technique called a web-over.
—Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 3 Feb. 2025
Like any dexterous toddler, Lindsay would have moved her hands around while riding her mother’s back — but Beryl is missing an eye.
—Brandon Keim, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
He’s got dexterous tools catching, tipping and redirecting pucks on first touch.
—Scott Wheeler, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dexterous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dexterous
Adjective
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Deep cleaning upholstery just got a whole lot easier with this handy home appliance, which is a longtime bestseller on Amazon.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
20 Mar. 2025
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Many are immigrants who may have had another profession in their previous lives — welders, mechanics or electricians with skills that come in handy at workplaces where something always needs fixing.—
Cindy Carcamo,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This skillful painting by Sophie Zhou, a junior at The Kincaid School, was sold for a record $276,000 at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's school art competition auction.—
Shafaq Patel,
Axios,
19 Mar. 2025
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This hints that, yes, skillful storytellers may actually live longer.—
Ron Shachar,
Scientific American,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The loss of this skilled support would place a greater burden on active-duty soldiers, who are not trained for many of these back-end roles.—
Solange Charas,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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Hurley said postgame that Florida’s roster construction — especially the Gators’ skilled two-way bigs and glut of perimeter threats — reminded him of his own rosters, at least for most of the past three seasons.—
Brendan Marks,
The Athletic,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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That said, a deck of cards in the hands of a masterful street magician is still really awesome, too.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
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That battle, readers of Othello might remember, plays a significant role in the play’s unfolding tragedy and Iago's masterful plan.—
Dave Quinn,
People.com,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Later in the same game, Miami ran four verts with a clever outside receiver cross-field motion.—
Ted Nguyen,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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The digital device is exhausted, the runtime stretches a tad too long, and a club scene that begins as an admirable feat (making clever use of the Music Box Theatre) begins to drag, before giving way to a crucial turning point in the story.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Several legendary fictional detectives have been expert game players and puzzle solvers.—
Sarah Larson,
The New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2025
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Today, an internet connection opens up a world of free and affordable learning—from YouTube channels dedicated to sharing expert knowledge to podcasts and digital libraries packed with nonfiction titles ready to download to a Kindle or other e-reader.—
David Nikel,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Every actor is absolutely perfect in this super-efficient romp, from Cleese’s perfect straight man amidst the chaos, to Curtis’ seductive, cunning femme fatale, to Palin’s stammering, animal-loving hitman whose assassination attempts go disastrously wrong.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
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Their infatuations are challenged by a cunning philosopher who persuades the bros to pretend they’ve been suddenly drafted and to return later in disguise to woo each other’s fiancée.—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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After more than 30 years, Wimberley Glassworks still flourishes and its gallery is bursting with color—plates in kaleidoscopic shades, delicate pieces glowing brightly on tables, sculptures fanning out in rainbows over the walls, as if outraged by the white paint.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
29 Mar. 2025
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Reinforcing its status as a rising force in contemporary fashion, Ann Andelman’s boutique launch coincides with the release of the label’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection — a range that explores the delicate balance between sensibility and emotion through a dreamlike visual narrative.—
Angela Lei,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dexterous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dexterous. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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