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

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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 With flawless timing and dexterity, the 12-year-old picker dazzled the audience, Lucy accompanying him on guitar, for roughly two minutes. — David Alm, Longreads, 1 Oct. 2026 His goal late against the Leafs was due and showed his hands and dexterity for a big man taking a puck off the wall and patting it in at the post. — Scott Wheeler, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026 The patented fingertip design is rolled with no seams and provides two layers of protection without limiting your dexterity. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026 The system, currently a proof-of-concept, is designed for dexterity-intensive tasks across various industries and can be deployed on existing hardware within weeks. — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 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
  • By increasing its manufacturing capacity, the company aims to strengthen its ability to deliver advanced systems to customers.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Who knows if SpaceX will win the war, but with the amount of spectrum being bought by Musk and his ability to access capital, Starlink will most likely take share from Charter and Comcast first, and then AT & T and Verizon next.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of ability
Noun
  • These give the driver real-time control over accelerator pedal sensitivity, wheel slip thresholds (with nine traction settings) and cornering agility.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Warhound wants to improve canine health and longevity alongside traits such as speed, agility, and scent detection.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of agility
Noun
  • But now, some of the key data centers at the heart of its technical prowess have been knocked out by Ukrainian drone attacks in the 4 1/2-year-old full-scale invasion, suffering damage that could take a long time to repair.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Chinese medical equipment makers are increasingly challenging US, European, and Japanese competitors in hospitals around the world, extending Beijing’s technological prowess to yet another industry.
    — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of prowess
Noun
  • Koenig died Monday at his home in the North Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, talent agent Zachery McGinnis said in a statement.
    — JONATHAN LANDRUM JR. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Maybe talents like Misiorowski and Caminero and Chourio only come around once every couple decades.
    — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of talent
Noun
  • In the 1960s and ’70s, Mexican women with limited English proficiency were forcibly sterilized at the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, leading to a civil rights lawsuit that was decided in favor of the center.
    — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Aside from his mobility/ability to escape pressure and his proficiency in throwing on the run (two very valuable skills), Willis hasn’t done anything else at even an average level of what’s expected from a franchise quarterback.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of proficiency
Noun
  • This year, heavensouls dropped westside trapped, a showcase of plundersymphonic finesse and a tribute to Nigerian beats.
    — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The Rays have Nick Martinez, more of a finesse pitcher, while the Brewers have Jacob Misiorowski, a power pitcher who will try to overpower hitters.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of finesse
Noun
  • The Duke then entered the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, where his aptitude for foreign languages was recognized with a prize.
    — Stephanie Bridger-Linning, Vanity Fair, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Naturally, his work at Celine has now been put in conversation with hers, especially because both designers share an aptitude for creating clothes real people want to wear–and, therefore, many of the same fans.
    — Joan Kennedy, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of aptitude
Noun
  • Yi-ji, whose competence wins his respect, puts that view to the test.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Calm leaders project presence, competence and confidence so that others can move from their reactive brains to their response brains.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of competence

Browse Nearby Words

dewy-eyed
dexterity
dexterous
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Cite this Entry

“Dexterity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dexterity. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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