opposable
adjective
op·pos·able
ə-ˈpō-zə-bəl 
1
: capable of being opposed or resisted
2
: capable of being placed against one or more of the remaining digits of a hand or foot
the opposable human thumb
Examples of opposable in a Sentence
Humans have an opposable thumb.
Recent Examples on the Web
Evolution has adapted the digits of mammals for an enormous range of uses, from our opposable thumbs to the spindly digits that support bat wings to the robust bones that support the hoofs of horses.
—
John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 17 Sep. 2025
Perhaps the fist evolved as an anatomical accident, a by-product of the lengthened fingers and opposable thumbs that gave humans their unparalleled tool-grabbing dexterity.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
What are the chances that E.T., the Predator, or ALF would develop arms and legs, a humanlike face, and opposable thumbs?
—Matthew Hutson, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
The thumb is manually opposable, giving the user better control over grip force and object handling.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opposable
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John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 17 Sep. 2025
Perhaps the fist evolved as an anatomical accident, a by-product of the lengthened fingers and opposable thumbs that gave humans their unparalleled tool-grabbing dexterity.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
What are the chances that E.T., the Predator, or ALF would develop arms and legs, a humanlike face, and opposable thumbs?
—Matthew Hutson, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
The thumb is manually opposable, giving the user better control over grip force and object handling.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for opposable
Cite this Entry
“Opposable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opposable. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
opposable
adjective
op·pos·able
ə-ˈpō-zə-bəl
: capable of being placed against one or more of the remaining digits of a hand or foot
the opposable human thumb
Medical Definition
opposable
adjective
op·pos·able
ə-ˈpō-zə-bəl
: capable of being placed against one or more of the remaining digits of a hand or foot
an opposable thumb
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