as in masterfully
in a skillful or expert manner
the company spokesperson deftly sidestepped the investigative reporter's questions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deftly
Gray served in a variety of consequential positions over the years and wielded influence deftly to the benefit of the community, said Dick Batchelor, who represented Central Florida in the Legislature from 1974 to 1982 and regarded Gray as a sage confidant.
—
Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
In Cafe Floretta, Pierangelini deftly transforms autumn vegetables into delicate, flavorful dishes like artichokes alla Romana and cauliflower steak topped with a perfectly balanced caper hollandaise.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
O’Neill will need to make a mark with her own strategy while deftly managing these stakeholders, who aren’t afraid to criticize current management in public.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
The 1988 Cy Young award winner deftly explained what made Ohtani’s new curve so unhittable, even going as far as pantomiming the throwing motion and grip to more effectively illustrate his point.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026
Romvari deftly synthesizes that kind of quotidian flow, days bleeding into one another as something significant foments at the margins of the everyday.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
In her fiction and essays, Elaine Castillo deftly translates worlds into words and words into worlds.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
And the state has failed to implement those regulations in a way that allows insurers to deftly adjust their underwriting and pricing to reflect risk from a changing climate.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2026
On more than one occasion during team period and in seven-on-seven, Shaw deftly mirrored the shifty Craver.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 9 Apr. 2026
Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
In Cafe Floretta, Pierangelini deftly transforms autumn vegetables into delicate, flavorful dishes like artichokes alla Romana and cauliflower steak topped with a perfectly balanced caper hollandaise.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
O’Neill will need to make a mark with her own strategy while deftly managing these stakeholders, who aren’t afraid to criticize current management in public.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
The 1988 Cy Young award winner deftly explained what made Ohtani’s new curve so unhittable, even going as far as pantomiming the throwing motion and grip to more effectively illustrate his point.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026
Romvari deftly synthesizes that kind of quotidian flow, days bleeding into one another as something significant foments at the margins of the everyday.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
In her fiction and essays, Elaine Castillo deftly translates worlds into words and words into worlds.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
And the state has failed to implement those regulations in a way that allows insurers to deftly adjust their underwriting and pricing to reflect risk from a changing climate.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2026
On more than one occasion during team period and in seven-on-seven, Shaw deftly mirrored the shifty Craver.
—Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deftly
Adverb
-
The album is full of strange, brilliant contradictions; Oklou slides masterfully between fun and eccentricity, pump and pathos.—
Sheldon Pearce,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The service in Serra was efficient and personable, while in The Eagle Bar, our mixologist masterfully walked the line between professional and cheeky, giving us a sense of real ease.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Bronze Age symbolizes a time of change Bronze, a raw material, was skillfully manipulated to create objects that not only carried weight but also meaning.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Apr. 2026
-
It’s based on an unconventional true story from recent history, set on the British Isles, with a tone that alternates between humorous and sorrowful before delivering an uplifting and humanist message, with skillfully invisible filmmaking that takes a backseat to the performances and story.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Plane tickets are getting pricier After jumping to $209 a barrel in early April, the global price of jet fuel eased last week to around $179, still well above the roughly $99 at the end of February.—
Mae Anderson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
At this year's event, held at Pura Padel, Holland participated with other BERO higher-ups in a friendly tournament of padel, a racquet sport that's probably best described as a combination of squash and tennis.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Adverb
-
Tradition and the present are artfully combined here.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
-
It had been artfully arranged, staged in a marble vase.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Minoungou finished neatly beyond Switchbacks keeper Christian Herrera to take a 2-1 lead.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The tools all fold neatly into a plastic container, making storage a breeze.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Jenny Connell Davis’ adroitly constructed one-act play weaves together significant challenges for four women across seven decades.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Leo’s visit, in December, to Lebanon, which is home to one of the world’s oldest Christian communities, dating back to the time of the apostles Peter and Paul, now looks adroitly timed.—
Paul Elie,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
In the bar, expertly crafted drinks range from classics to cocktails inspired by decades that defined the city, and creative signatures like the fiery Spicy Fifty, a blend of vanilla vodka, honey and red chili pepper that packs a warming punch.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The rattan is also expertly woven to prevent breakage over time.—
Paige Bennett,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Both boys testified that Jackson had masturbated in front of them and molested Gavin on several occasions, but Jackson’s defense capably pointed out various inconsistencies in their stories and presented impeaching witnesses.—
Amelia McDonell-Parry,
Rolling Stone,
22 Apr. 2026
-
After all, those are spots capably filled by, in order, Justin Herbert, Cameron Dicker, JK Scott and Josh Harris.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deftly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deftly. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
