Definition of adroitnext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word adroit different from other adjectives like it?

The words deft and dexterous are common synonyms of adroit. While all three words mean "ready and skilled in physical movement," adroit implies dexterity but usually also stresses resourcefulness or artfulness or inventiveness.

the magician's adroit response to the failure of her prop won applause

When might deft be a better fit than adroit?

Although the words deft and adroit have much in common, deft emphasizes lightness, neatness, and sureness of touch or handling.

a surgeon's deft manipulation of the scalpel

In what contexts can dexterous take the place of adroit?

The words dexterous and adroit can be used in similar contexts, but dexterous implies expertness with consequent facility and quickness in manipulation.

unrolled the sleeping bag with a dexterous toss

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 adroit As Powell — one of Capitol Hill’s most adroit navigators — made his rounds, Republicans on both sides of the Capitol panned the investigation. Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026 The OptiPlex 7020 is one in its nearly endless line of business towers, and this one has a surprisingly adroit loadout in terms of components. PC Magazine, 11 July 2025 SpaceX is the implied template: Musk will advocate for privatizing the government, outsourcing the affairs of state to nimble entrepreneurs and adroit technologists. Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 19 Oct. 2024 Naturally, Moore is formidable, acing an English accent and exhibiting an adroit sense of comic timing. Alison Herman, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024 See All Example Sentences for adroit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adroit
Adjective
  • Thanks to more than 200 years of intense and virtuoso scientific work, what were once valid or at least plausible concerns and objections to vaccines have been overcome.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
  • A lot of the movie feels like a virtuoso chase sequence, people barreling down the road, guns blazing.
    Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026
Adjective
  • What followed in the 20th minute, though, is the kind of end-to-end attack that is the hallmark of the American game, with a skillful finish that is decidedly uncommon from a USA star.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 31 May 2026
  • The remarks not only referred to the aesthetics of the game – tedious matches devoid of skillful merit that were unpleasing to watch.
    Cesar R. Torres, The Conversation, 26 May 2026
Adjective
  • This is a masterful combat sports game with the only thing keeping it from perfection being polish that could come over time and something that connects more to current events in the real-life product.
    Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
  • The intensity of the moment is further heightened by Smith’s masterful direction.
    Joe Otterson, Variety, 10 June 2026
Adjective
  • For full daily and monthly horoscopes as well as expert readings, see our full Horoscopes experience.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 16 June 2026
  • Hedge funds are most attractive to investors when the over-all market performs poorly, as bruised investors seek ways to protect themselves against another crash by putting their money in the hands of people supposedly expert at managing risk.
    Gary Sernovitz, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
Adjective
  • This is a delicate and dicey subject to even bring up, since the industry right now is in the grip of multiple perceptions and anxieties about what AI portends for the future of entertainment.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 18 June 2026
  • But as the djinn becomes embodied, the delicate balance between the real and the supernatural starts to falter.
    The Week UK, TheWeek, 18 June 2026
Adjective
  • The platform combines autonomous navigation with dexterous manipulation, enabling it to transport materials, interact with workers, and perform precision tasks in industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, electronics assembly, and automotive production.
    Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 June 2026
  • Beyond remote control, the team sees a path toward using the wristband to build huge datasets of human motion that could eventually enable humanoids to learn dexterous tasks without human guidance.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 June 2026
Adjective
  • The Sphere, his baby, has become an artistic and, now, financial success.
    Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 16 June 2026
  • Horror still fights for respect, box office success still gets dismissed as commercial rather than artistic, and a movie made by a YouTube creator will face every condescension the awards ecosystem can muster.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 15 June 2026
Adjective
  • With a deft hand and remarkable visual memory, the young Church was a natural.
    Susan Tallman, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026
  • Here, Elliott Gould brings a deft touch to his hang-dog detective Philip Marlowe, moving with a lightness that's hard to pin down but is undeniably comic.
    Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Adroit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adroit. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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