dexterity

noun

dek-ˈster-ə-tē How to pronounce dexterity (audio)
Definition of dexteritynext
1
as in ability
mental skill or quickness the ambassador showed great dexterity in his handling of the touchy situation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in agility
ease and grace in physical activity the juggler needed lots of dexterity in order to keep all five balls in the air at the same time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 dexterity What’s Happening Grip strength and hand dexterity typically begin to slip in the sixth decade of life. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026 Humanlike robotic dexterity The Mimic Hand M1 is a dexterous robotic hand engineered to match the versatility, strength, and precision of the human hand for industrial automation. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 20 July 2026 The author of the series bears the same curiosity, quick wit, and linguistic dexterity as the younger man who wrote Zone One and 2006’s messy farce, Apex Hides the Hurt. — Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026 This can improve your dexterity and coordination, as well as the strength and flexibility in your toes and feet. — Jennifer Klump, Verywell Health, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dexterity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dexterity
  1. ability
  2. agility
  3. prowess
  4. talent
  5. proficiency
  6. finesse
  7. aptitude
  8. competence
Noun
  • But the White House cut its offices and weakened its ability to follow up with cases, as well as slashed funding to research on disparities that people of color face in getting diagnosed and attaining resources for disabilities.
    — Claire Sibonney, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Herkov said Tebow’s value system is as impressive as his athletic ability.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of ability
Noun
  • Battling for a roster spot at wide receiver, Cowing showed off his speed and agility after the Chargers went 3-and-out with three minutes left in the second quarter.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Infrastructure has unique safety, regulatory and investment considerations, but its organizations can still learn from industries built around agility, customer understanding and continuous improvement.
    — Jen Fuller, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of agility
Noun
  • Banks wrote this piece as an ensemble work, not as a showcase for his formidable instrumental prowess.
    — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Regarding new arrivals, Rodri is ruled out for Sunday's match, training individually, but Joao Cancelo is deemed ready and could feature against Elche, with Flick highlighting his fantastic technique and offensive prowess.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of prowess
Noun
  • The backstory Once upon a time, there was a Spanish family blessed with a talent for finding historic buildings and transforming them into hotels that anyone who admires beauty and nature would want to visit.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The Crusaders graduated a lot of talent from last year’s squad, but should get healthy against the Seahawks.
    — Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of talent
Noun
  • Language arts proficiency rates dropped for half of the grades that took Colorado’s latest statewide achievement tests, while rates in mathematics held steady or increased, according to 2026 results released Wednesday.
    — Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2026
  • How Candidates Are Using AI to Cheat Generative AI tools allow candidates to rewrite resumes to match job descriptions, exaggerate experience, and present skills convincingly regardless of actual proficiency.
    — Kara Dennison, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of proficiency
Noun
  • Stoudemire said his point was that today’s athletic big men too often settle for finesse.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Schottenheimer paired his West Coast passing concepts with Adams’ physical, diverse run scheme to create a system that was modern in its finesse and explosiveness and also a gritty throwback.
    — Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of finesse
Noun
  • Their scouting evaluation, comprehensive enough to unearth the aptitude beneath that bushy head of hair, compelled the team to select Bredeson in the fifth round of the 2026 draft.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Always consider whether extra effort in the workplace is worth it, because there could be more effective ways to demonstrate your aptitude.
    — Chris Dobstaff, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of aptitude
Noun
  • Government agencies should be expected to demonstrate the same commitment to competence, transparency, and adherence to the law.
    — Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026
  • And because cognition is so closely tied to a person’s sense of competence and identity, those changes can be surprisingly frightening.
    — Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of competence

Browse Nearby Words

dewy-eyed
dexterity
dexterous
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dexterity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dexterity. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of tilde

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All