as in expert
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field
a British mystery writer who's an undisputed dab hand at building suspense
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 dab hand
In addition to the outfits of the characters in her famous self-portraits, American artist Cindy Sherman is also a dab hand at finds for herself.
—
Lily Templeton, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019
All of which curious George, a dab hand at psychological manipulation, coaxes along with the gentlest of nudges.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025
In addition to the outfits of the characters in her famous self-portraits, American artist Cindy Sherman is also a dab hand at finds for herself.
—Lily Templeton, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019
Van Norden, a dab hand with Shakespeare, is a natural for Shaw.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2024
Benedict, meanwhile, is an expert colorist, a dab hand with print who knows all about decorative drama.
—Grace McCloud, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2023
Zach is a dab hand at herbal knockout potions and the occasional amateur amputation, and there’s a scene featuring the latter in which Wheatley indulges his twin tastes for deadpan comedy and head-on gross-outs to the extreme.
—BostonGlobe.com, 14 Apr. 2021
Sarah, a dab hand at deflecting sexism and maintaining her professional composure, takes the microphone and expresses her excitement at being on board.
—Justin Chang Film Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2020
That, perhaps, is a little less in the bag, but the Kremlin’s operatives are dab hands at suppressing protests and neutering the press.
—The Economist, 12 Mar. 2020
Lily Templeton, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019
All of which curious George, a dab hand at psychological manipulation, coaxes along with the gentlest of nudges.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025
In addition to the outfits of the characters in her famous self-portraits, American artist Cindy Sherman is also a dab hand at finds for herself.
—Lily Templeton, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019
Van Norden, a dab hand with Shakespeare, is a natural for Shaw.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2024
Benedict, meanwhile, is an expert colorist, a dab hand with print who knows all about decorative drama.
—Grace McCloud, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2023
Zach is a dab hand at herbal knockout potions and the occasional amateur amputation, and there’s a scene featuring the latter in which Wheatley indulges his twin tastes for deadpan comedy and head-on gross-outs to the extreme.
—BostonGlobe.com, 14 Apr. 2021
Sarah, a dab hand at deflecting sexism and maintaining her professional composure, takes the microphone and expresses her excitement at being on board.
—Justin Chang Film Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2020
That, perhaps, is a little less in the bag, but the Kremlin’s operatives are dab hands at suppressing protests and neutering the press.
—The Economist, 12 Mar. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dab hand
Noun
-
These dates don't line up with calendar quarters and so can easily be missed, experts said.—
Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,
CNBC,
15 June 2025
-
Alternative therapies for cancer care can have dire consequences, experts say.—
Dr. Lemuel Hackshaw,
ABC News,
15 June 2025
Noun
-
So Julie has become the master of this realm inside the cave and inside this enormous pile of bones.—
Ari Daniel,
Smithsonian Magazine,
12 June 2025
-
His Damn Right Farewell tour is a celebration of his extraordinary career for fans to have the opportunity to witness a blues master at work.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2025
Noun
-
But few scholars have explored another trend: The growing number of people who’ve found that bonding with their pets becomes a spiritual experience.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
8 June 2025
-
Utilizing the museum’s world-class library and archives, visitors can explore nearly every region and historic period of Asia and the Islamic world, and scholars will find value in exemplary objects as springboards for research.—
Yola Robert,
Forbes.com,
7 June 2025
Noun
-
Slot shares this staple of Tottenham counterpart Ange Postecoglou’s attacking principles, with Porro adept at tucking inside to disrupt the opposition shape.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
-
The result is that just these English words, representing just this original document, make for a new and somewhat undiscovered book, even to Marxist adepts.—
Benjamin Kunkel,
Harpers Magazine,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Epic Universe is populated with monsters, wizards, dragons and little guys named Mario and Luigi.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 June 2025
-
There are four shops where aspiring wizards and curious muggles can check out — wizarding gear shop Les Galeries Mirifiques, candy shop K. Rammelle, wand shop Baguettes Magique and Ministry of Magic giftshop Tour En Floo.—
Samantha Neely,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
Yesterday, to attend the Billboard Global Power Plays event in London the global artist showed up in an exquisite teal number by Schiaparelli.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
5 June 2025
-
The artist’s lifelong work of transcending barriers and charting new paths felt appropriate for Orlando, a city that crafts its own story through its melting pot of diverse residents, each with their own story to tell.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
An ultra-rare 1913 Gibson Style O Acoustic Archtop once played by the two virtuosos is now up for grabs via Reverb, an online marketplace for new and used musical instruments and other goods.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
20 May 2025
-
Instead, this antagonistic virtuoso has started letting the sticky dark feelings fueling those nightmares seep into other genres.—
A.A. Dowd,
Vulture,
20 May 2025
Noun
-
Only three players have been seven-plus shots back of the first-round leader and gone on to win the U.S. Open in the last 60 years, per stat guru Justin Ray.—
Savannah Leigh Richardson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
-
Johnson is already attached to the project in the supporting role as the motivational guru, and the film would still be searching for its young lead.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dab hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab%20hand. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share