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
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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.
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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
This is a very different approach to sister-in-law Kate Middleton, and Harry’s older brother, Prince William, who have so far welcomed three royal babies into the world, and are kind of a dab hand at the whole thing.
—Lucy Wood, Marie Claire, 11 Apr. 2019
The returning characters include Lucius Best/Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson) and steely, brilliant Edna Mode (voiced by director Bird), who turns out to be a dab hand at babysitting the literal fireball Jack-Jack.
—Michael Phillips, chicagotribune.com, 11 June 2018
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
This is a very different approach to sister-in-law Kate Middleton, and Harry’s older brother, Prince William, who have so far welcomed three royal babies into the world, and are kind of a dab hand at the whole thing.
—Lucy Wood, Marie Claire, 11 Apr. 2019
The returning characters include Lucius Best/Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson) and steely, brilliant Edna Mode (voiced by director Bird), who turns out to be a dab hand at babysitting the literal fireball Jack-Jack.
—Michael Phillips, chicagotribune.com, 11 June 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dab hand
Noun
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For 60 years running, its jury of experts has picked the most stunning shots to win and earn accolades.Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2025
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Here, therapists, psychologists, and other relationship experts share advice for how to kindly and effectively break up with someone. 1.Jenny McCoy, Glamour, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Most of The Row’s handbags skip the flash of any hardware, but this rare jewel masters the art of glamorous ease with its metal fastening.Alexis Bennett Parker, Vogue, 7 Jan. 2025
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Wright holds a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree in emergency management and homeland security and is a graduate of the School of Police Staff and Command at Northwestern University in Illinois.Tom Sissom, arkansasonline.com, 7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Adrian Miller, the soul food scholar who eats black-eyed peas on New Year's Day, says since the tradition's origin is not set in stone, neither is the day it's observed.Luis Giraldo, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2024
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Gay also faced criticisms over allegations of plagiarism when conservative scholar Carol Swain accused Gay of stealing her work without an appropriate citation.Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Around him, dense as a swarm of tiny insects, float tiny images of fellow adepts engaged in all manner of outré shenanigans.Holland Cotter, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024
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Naomi Goggin Switch to island time—and expect transportation snafus Even with two planners, and a bride adept at project management, there was one logistical hurdle that was tough to cross: local transportation.Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Tactical Breach Wizards adds future-seeing, time-bending, hex-placing wizards, for one thing.Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 22 Dec. 2024
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The wizard wasn't forgotten as the Emerald Elixir brought a little mystery to the table.Caroline Reid, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
Noun
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And then there has always been Altadena’s sense of freedom and creativity that gave rise to an artists’ enclave and The Bunny Museum.Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2025
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Headlining the event is Faye Toogood, the multidisciplinary British artist who has been named M&O Designer of the Year 2025.Kissa Castaneda, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Tabla, a percussion instrument, is one of the essential ingredients of Indian classical music − and Hussain was widely considered its greatest living virtuoso.Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
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Their meeting lasts about a minute, and in Johnson’s virtuoso handling it conveys surprise, suspicion, gratitude, and brotherhood.Calvin Tomkins, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Hairstylist Kevin Kelly and makeup guru Darian Marie Horn gave Rachel a glam look, her dark locks pulled back in a relaxed updo with flowing waves and her cheeks and lips kissed with the softest of pinks.Dave Quinn, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025
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And while some fans and film gurus will say the offense looked better under interim coordinator Scott Turner and his father Norv, the facts are the facts: The Raiders averaged 17.9 points in nine games with Getsy and 17.6 in eight games with Turner, who had a healthier offensive line.Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near dab hand
Cite this Entry
“Dab hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dab%20hand. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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