DEFTLY Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

deftly

adverb

Definition of deftly

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 Pawlikowski is also the director of the 2013 Ida, as well 2018’s Cold War, pictures that, like this one, deftly balance postwar Eastern Bloc realities with the truth that all humans strive for connection and belonging. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 23 Oct. 2026 John Steinbeck wrote Cathy Ames, the antagonist of his novel East of Eden, as the embodiment of original sin, and in Zoe Kazan’s Netflix adaptation, Florence Pugh deftly channels the character’s ambition and cynicism. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026 Just about all of their artistry is exerted on the script, which deftly intercuts between the time frames, advancing their plots in episodes that, though tersely dramatic, are superficial in their efficiency. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2026 The director, Sanchez, deftly leads the effort with invisible but subtly effective staging, ensuring that the family banter propels the flow. — Bill Hirschman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026 The first half focuses on the early entrepreneurial years, deftly incorporating archival footage with the usual talking heads. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 11 Oct. 2026 Matching my best safari sightings over the years, the sight of a mother helping her calf deftly navigate the mighty Zambezi and clamber up the muddy banks moves me to tears. — Charukesi Ramadurai, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026 The British Film Institute chair has continued to deftly straddle two enormous jobs in European film and TV. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026 A couple of those are easily forecast, but the crucial one is fiendishly spring-loaded, deftly shifting the stakes of the whole enterprise, and testing Mark’s integrity both as a man and as a politician. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deftly

Adverb

Videos shared by Nevada’s parents on Instagram show the precocious dynamo masterfully weaving between taller players and delivering powerful kicks driving the ball into the goal.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Seattle accomplishes this by masterfully disguising defensive assignments before the snap, which can force Mahomes to diagnose where to go with the football only after dropping back.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of masterfully

Adverb

Telhou uses primal shouts to keep the herd together, while Saâdia uses a slingshot contraption to skillfully throw stones at straying goats.

— Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026
When daily life can feel quite bruising and fractious, documentaries skillfully encourage us to let our guard down and connect with real-life stories and people… sometimes challenging, often invigorating, and always meaningful.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of skillfully

Adverb

The trend marks a stark turn from earlier this decade, when sellers often received well above their asking price as home shoppers empowered by rock-bottom mortgage rates fueled a buying frenzy that sent home prices soaring.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Technique works well in testing This strategy optimizes both the transport and perovskite layers together, driving efficiency and durability to record levels.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of well

Adverb

The overtones of social significance are adroitly handled and make real sense in an era of tragic international quarrels.

— THR Staff, HollywoodReporter, 28 Sep. 2026
Rams architects Les Snead and Sean McVay can still adroitly motivate a player without pressing too hard.

— Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026

Definition of adroitly

Adverb

It’s expertly crafted, almost like a brutalist statement piece in your office.

— Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 25 Oct. 2026
Come cocktail hour, pull back the deep olive green curtain on the second floor and slip into Sloane’s, a gorgeously intimate, discreet spot made for cozy chats over expertly mixed drinks.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of expertly

Adverb

Filling the shoes of the legendary Mel Blanc at Looney Tunes was no small task, but the three-time Emmy winner did so capably for years.

— Tom Tapp, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2026
The rest of the filmmaking, too, is content to coast at a lower difficulty setting, from the proficient but anonymously taupe lensing by master DP Robert Elswit to an untested ensemble of ever-watchable actors playing capably to type.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of capably

Browse Nearby Words

deft

deftly

deftness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Deftly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deftly. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of deftly

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes