as in masterfully
in a skillful or expert manner
skillfully guided the powerboat around the obstacles
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Recent Examples of skillfully
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
El Cantaro Vegan Taqueria skillfully incorporates meat alternatives into Mexican food, a cuisine known for its love of marinated and grilled meats.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
And Fitzgerald, coming off a magnificent six-interception freshman season, can play nickel skillfully if needed.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
Don’t be fooled by its modest exterior—inside, guests find some of the city’s most skillfully balanced and imaginative drinks, crafted by bartenders who speak spirits fluently.
—Kat Stinson, Travel + Leisure, 14 Apr. 2026
The trio of lead performers (Carl Brisson, Malcolm Keen, Anny Ondra) are all skillfully understated for the silent era, broadcasting clear emotions without ever feeling over the top.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026
Gorton skillfully depicts the grueling decades-long struggle of Sanger (the icon, in this telling) and Dennett (the idealist) to make birth control available and legal, as well as their interpersonal competition for power and influence.
—Literary Hub, 20 Mar. 2026
Adriana Lambarri’s costumes skillfully replicate the actor’s garb in the film while composer/sound designer Jazer Sibley-Schwartz channels at the outset a knowing nod to John Williams’ indelible, two-note cadence of menacing notes announcing the shark’s arrival.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 10 Mar. 2026
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
El Cantaro Vegan Taqueria skillfully incorporates meat alternatives into Mexican food, a cuisine known for its love of marinated and grilled meats.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 22 Apr. 2026
And Fitzgerald, coming off a magnificent six-interception freshman season, can play nickel skillfully if needed.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
Don’t be fooled by its modest exterior—inside, guests find some of the city’s most skillfully balanced and imaginative drinks, crafted by bartenders who speak spirits fluently.
—Kat Stinson, Travel + Leisure, 14 Apr. 2026
The trio of lead performers (Carl Brisson, Malcolm Keen, Anny Ondra) are all skillfully understated for the silent era, broadcasting clear emotions without ever feeling over the top.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026
Gorton skillfully depicts the grueling decades-long struggle of Sanger (the icon, in this telling) and Dennett (the idealist) to make birth control available and legal, as well as their interpersonal competition for power and influence.
—Literary Hub, 20 Mar. 2026
Adriana Lambarri’s costumes skillfully replicate the actor’s garb in the film while composer/sound designer Jazer Sibley-Schwartz channels at the outset a knowing nod to John Williams’ indelible, two-note cadence of menacing notes announcing the shark’s arrival.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skillfully
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
-
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
-
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
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
-
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
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
Cite this Entry
“Skillfully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skillfully. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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