sleight of hand

noun phrase

1
a
: a cleverly executed trick or deception
b
: a conjuring trick requiring manual dexterity
2
a
: skill and dexterity in conjuring tricks
b
: adroitness in deception

Examples of sleight of hand in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In the view of critics, that success is more like sleight of hand. Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2024 But self-checkout sleights of hand are having a real impact on retailers, with Walmart, Costco, and Wegmans are cutting down on kiosks, citing intentional shoplifting as reason for doing so. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2024 That mathematical sleight of hand meant that eCash was provably secure. Andy Greenberg, Ars Technica, 18 Jan. 2024 Calabresi’s hand-wringing on Thomas’ behalf also engages in sleight of hand. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2024 Rather than trying to operate by sleight of hand, like a retoucher tasked with zhuzhing up our bland analogue reality, Sherman lets the seams of her interventions show, creating a kind of cybernated burlesque. Chris Wiley, The New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2024 And for 60 minutes on Sunday, the 49ers defense’s job is to find a way to limit the Houdini of Missouri’s pigskin sleight of hand. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2024 Either the accommodations were very crowded inside or this was all sleight of hand—an illustrious address functioning as a mail drop. Patrick Radden Keefe, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024 When the subject is not the movies but matters of the Middle East, the consequences of this sleight of hand are far graver than some dubious promotional puffery. Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sleight of hand.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sleight of hand was in 1593

Dictionary Entries Near sleight of hand

Cite this Entry

“Sleight of hand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sleight%20of%20hand. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sleight of hand

1
: skill especially in juggling or magic tricks
2
: a magic or juggling trick requiring skill with the hands
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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