dexterity
noun
dex·ter·i·ty
dek-ˈster-ə-tē 
-ˈste-rə-
plural dexterities
1
: readiness and grace in physical activity
especially
: skill and ease in using the hands
manual dexterity
2
: mental skill or quickness : adroitness
Examples of dexterity in a Sentence
Russ Cellan, Ferguson's coach at Freeport (New York) High, and Ron Prince, his former offensive line coach at Virginia, both attribute Ferguson's dexterity and footwork to his extensive martial arts training …
—
Nunyo Demasio, Sports Illustrated, 10 Apr. 2006
The Carcanet volume also offers its readers the advantage of seeing the German originals alongside the English, enabling them to perceive at a glance how much sympathy and linguistic dexterity Elliot has brought to the difficult but rewarding task of introducing a new generation of English readers to Heine's tragic but wonderfully vigorous and vivid late poetry.
—S. S. Prawer, Times Literary Supplement, 28 Sept. - 4 Oct. 1990
But the mayor showed considerable political dexterity in the days following the fire, taking care to distance himself from on-site decisions while accepting full responsibility for the bombing itself. He made himself available to reporters, met with people from the fire-ravaged neighborhood, and was gracious enough not to blame subordinates.
—Amy Wilentz, Time, 27 May 1985
The job requires manual dexterity.
He has the dexterity needed to deal cards quickly.
The amazing dexterity of the acrobat.
He's a teacher known for his imagination and verbal dexterity.
Nunyo Demasio, Sports Illustrated, 10 Apr. 2006
The Carcanet volume also offers its readers the advantage of seeing the German originals alongside the English, enabling them to perceive at a glance how much sympathy and linguistic dexterity Elliot has brought to the difficult but rewarding task of introducing a new generation of English readers to Heine's tragic but wonderfully vigorous and vivid late poetry.
—S. S. Prawer, Times Literary Supplement, 28 Sept. - 4 Oct. 1990
But the mayor showed considerable political dexterity in the days following the fire, taking care to distance himself from on-site decisions while accepting full responsibility for the bombing itself. He made himself available to reporters, met with people from the fire-ravaged neighborhood, and was gracious enough not to blame subordinates.
—Amy Wilentz, Time, 27 May 1985
The job requires manual dexterity.
He has the dexterity needed to deal cards quickly.
The amazing dexterity of the acrobat.
He's a teacher known for his imagination and verbal dexterity.
Recent Examples on the Web
The loose hinges on these containers were the easiest to snap open and close, so this set may be best for anyone who struggles with dexterity.
—Lizzy Briskin, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2024
Unfortunately, Marshall too often uses his prodigious dexterity to defend himself from cancel culture rather than break new ground, and what once scanned as piercing irreverence feels like an especially sterile episode of The Joe Rogan Experience.
—Peter A. Berry, SPIN, 25 July 2024
Some of this comes from the sheer delight that comes from the verbal dexterity of McCarthy’s dialogue, which is filled with witty philosophical exchanges that feel like the work of a deranged love child of Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche and Preston Sturges.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 11 July 2024
In surgery, robots such as the da Vinci Surgical System are already performing minimally invasive procedures with an unmatched degree of dexterity, control, and precision.
—Vivek Wadhwa, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dexterity 
Lizzy Briskin, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2024
Unfortunately, Marshall too often uses his prodigious dexterity to defend himself from cancel culture rather than break new ground, and what once scanned as piercing irreverence feels like an especially sterile episode of The Joe Rogan Experience.
—Peter A. Berry, SPIN, 25 July 2024
Some of this comes from the sheer delight that comes from the verbal dexterity of McCarthy’s dialogue, which is filled with witty philosophical exchanges that feel like the work of a deranged love child of Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche and Preston Sturges.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 11 July 2024
In surgery, robots such as the da Vinci Surgical System are already performing minimally invasive procedures with an unmatched degree of dexterity, control, and precision.
—Vivek Wadhwa, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for dexterity
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dexterity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Dexterity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dexterity. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dexterity
noun
dex·ter·i·ty
dek-ˈster-ət-ē
plural dexterities
1
: mental skill or quickness
2
: ease and grace in physical activity
especially
: skill and ease in using the hands
Medical Definition
dexterity
noun
dex·ter·i·ty
dek-ˈster-ət-ē
plural dexterities
1
: readiness and grace in physical activity
especially
: skill and ease in using the hands
2
: mental skill or quickness
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