adroit

adjective

ə-ˈdrȯit How to pronounce adroit (audio)
Definition of adroitnext
as in virtuoso
accomplished with trained ability with an adroit flick of the wrist, flipped the omelet into the air and landed it squarely back in the pan

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Naturally, Moore is formidable, acing an English accent and exhibiting an adroit sense of comic timing. — Alison Herman, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024 The adroit reshufflings of narrative and perspective in ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ and ‘Poor Things’? — Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, 18 Nov. 2023 See All Example Sentences for adroit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adroit
  1. virtuoso
  2. skillful
  3. masterful
  4. expert
  5. delicate
  6. dexterous
  7. artistic
  8. deft
Adjective
  • The 2003 recording that appears on 2009’s The Live Anthology box set is eight minutes long, with a virtuoso performance by keyboardist Benmont Tench on the lengthy instrumental bridge.
    — Al Shipley, SPIN, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The visual essay below features virtuoso examples of the techniques that designers have used to replicate the ideals of classical dress over the years, including draping, pleating, twisting, and wrapping.
    — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 16 July 2026
Definition of virtuoso
Adjective
  • Making robots skillful The second stage introduces a latent diffusion model, which gives BeyondMimic its ability to generate and combine movements.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Fortunately, her protégées—her grandnieces and other female students in the village—are skillful artists in their own right.
    — Marisol Delarosa, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of skillful
Adjective
  • Fighting my way through the pack to earn just enough points to cross the threshold into the next round had the same thrill as Mario Kart World's masterful Knockout Tour mode.
    — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The world will remember Dolly Parton as many things – a masterful songwriter, a pioneering businesswoman and a mother figure.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of masterful
Adjective
  • The jury sat through about a month of evidence, including physical exhibits, medical testimony and expert psychiatric analysis.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Sign up to get expert tips on the best of Southern California's beaches, trails, parks, deserts, forests and mountains in your inbox every Thursday.
    — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of expert
Adjective
  • Marcus called the procedure an important first step toward reducing risks during delicate brain operations.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Elordi’s soft-spoken performance, paired with his delicate and awkward features, provides a nice contrast with Brolin’s tree-stump obduracy.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of delicate
Adjective
  • Within the oeuvre of the Muppets’ cinematic and televisual work, Miss Piggy hasn’t ever wholly been a punch line — her image is too dexterous for that.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The bots will also be tested on trickier and more dextrous household and workplace tasks.
    — J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of dexterous
Adjective
  • In the new role, Hodgkinson will be responsible for leading the event’s artistic and creative strategy and public programming.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 26 Aug. 2026
  • She was cut from a singular cloth with an artistic vision as distinctive as that voice of hers, an instrument of pure emotion that could scarcely be more instantly identifiable as Dolly Parton.
    — Ed Masley, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of artistic
Adjective
  • Cook’s legacy has been defined by his deft leadership through tumultuous supply chain environments and tense international trade relations.
    — Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Iran has been subject to Western sanctions for years and has become deft at partially circumventing them.
    — Khaled Wassef, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of deft

Browse Nearby Words

adrift
adroit
adroitly
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Cite this Entry

“Adroit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adroit. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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