adroit

Examples

• All

• His adroit maneuvering of the negotiations led to a successful outcome for everyone involved.

• The chef was adroit at using various knives to prepare intricate dishes.

• But if you are lucky, afterwards it does you a lot of good, especially if you are adroit.

  Fiction book (1998)

• Now, those who know me best may wonder if I'm particularly adroit with either virtue.

  Blog text (2)

• Augustine, as always, had an especially adroit word for it.

  Fiction book (2002)

• For a supposedly adroit businessman, he seems to have trouble with mathematics and communication.

  Blog text (13)

• The coalition responded with both military force and adroit political maneuvering.

  Academic text (2005)

• But even then, even though she was prevailed upon to make that speech, I always remember that the Queen was very adroit in her choice of words.

• Chen's administration deserves some credit for its adroit handling of relations with Beijing.

  Academic text (2002)

• Propagandists have always recognized that an adroit choice of name can convey great power of persuasion.

  Academic text (1993)

Synonyms

C

clever

vsadroit

573 1.7

Understands things quickly and finds smart solutions

adds skilled practical handling in difficult situations as well as quick thought

S

shrewd

vsadroit

50 4.7

Good at judging situations and making smart business decisions

is wider, also covering manual and general clever handling under pressure

A

astute

vsadroit

40 6.9

Good at understanding a situation quickly and using it to get an advantage

is broader, including practical hands‑on or mental skill in tricky moments

S

skillful

vsadroit

34 2.8

Good at doing something because of practice and careful control

emphasizes ability used especially in hard situations and both hands and mind

D

deft

vsadroit

15 5.8

Quick and skillful with the hands when working

focuses more widely on clever handling of difficult situations, not only manual speed

S

smart as a whip

vsadroit

• Informal

5 7.0

Very quick to understand things and find answers

adds steady practical skill and calm handling when situations become difficult

S

sharp as a tack

vsadroit

• Informal

5 6.7

Able to understand new things very quickly

leans more toward mental alertness than skilled action in hard situations

Q

quick-witted

vsadroit

4 4.8

Able to think and give smart fast answers

shares quick thinking but stresses effective handling of difficult real situations

Antonyms

C

clumsy

73 1.2

Moving in an awkward, unsteady way that causes accidents

I

inept

49 5.0

Not good at something and often clumsy

M

maladroit

1 9.3

Awkward and not good at handling people or situations

How Skillful

masterful

33 5.3

expert

3 3.5

adept

43 4.2

adroit

4 7.5

skillful

34 2.8

competent

114 3.6

capable

945 1.4

Surface Forms

Etymology