Synonyms of deft

deft

adjective

ˈdeft 

1

as in virtuoso

accomplished with trained ability

a luthier whose deft craftsmanship is prized by violinists the world over

Synonyms & Similar Words

• virtuoso
• skillful
• masterful
• delicate
• expert
• smooth
• artistic
• adroit
• artful
• dexterous
• masterly
• workmanlike
• dextrous
• practised
• bravura
• practiced
• adept
• creative
• ingenious
• clever
• facile
• cunning
• neat
• capable
• adequate
• fancy
• competent
• able

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• amateur
• crude
• artless
• amateurish
• clumsy
• rude
• unprofessional
• awkward
• ineffective
• unskillful
• ineffectual
• incompetent
• inept
• klutzy

2

as in dextrous

skillful with the hands

the deft jeweler quickly attached the diamond to its mount on the gold band

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dextrous
• skillful
• skilled
• cunning
• dexterous
• clever
• capable
• proficient
• graceful
• adept
• handy
• nimble
• competent
• agile
• masterful
• limber
• able
• masterly
• expert
• coordinated
• lissom
• spry
• lithe
• flexible
• qualified
• lithesome
• lissome
• sure-handed
• habile
• loose-jointed
• double-jointed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• heavy-handed
• wooden
• clumsy
• unhandy
• handless
• uneasy
• awkward
• stiff
• uncomfortable
• ungainly
• stilted
• fumbling
• ungraceful
• gawky
• gauche
• graceless
• ham-fisted
• klutzy
• ham-handed
• rough-hewn
• incapable
• uncoordinated
• butterfingered
• incompetent
• inept
• bungling
• inexpert
• maladroit

Synonym Chooser

How is the word deft different from other adjectives like it?

The words adroit and dexterous are common synonyms of deft. While all three words mean "ready and skilled in physical movement," deft emphasizes lightness, neatness, and sureness of touch or handling.

a surgeon's deft manipulation of the scalpel

When is it sensible to use adroit instead of deft?

The words adroit and deft are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, adroit implies dexterity but usually also stresses resourcefulness or artfulness or inventiveness.

the magician's adroit response to the failure of her prop won applause

In what contexts can dexterous take the place of deft?

In some situations, the words dexterous and deft are roughly equivalent. However, dexterous implies expertness with consequent facility and quickness in manipulation.

unrolled the sleeping bag with a dexterous toss

Examples of deft in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Former Far-Right Hard-Liner Says Billionaires Are Using School Board Races to Sow Distrust in Public Education Meckler, who lives in a home that Dunn transferred to him near Austin, is a deft salesman. —Ava Kofman, ProPublica, 2 Oct. 2024

The outcome is a deft blend of cream colors, generous waves and circular patterns that seem to ebb, flow and come together for an open and inviting feel. —Roberta Naas, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024

Meanwhile, through spin and deft scheduling, the White House staff protected the President and hoped for the best. —The Editors, The New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2024

Kerr exhibits a deft control over her visually economical, experimental leaps. —Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 28 June 2024