ably
adverb
: in an able and skillful manner : with ability, skill, or proficiency
was ably assisted
This silly comic Christmas romp is ably performed by a cast of 22 actors, led by the high-spirited Danny McBride as the childlike Buddy.—
Matthew Yde
Matthew YdeLast year, she ably completed a half-marathon run with only minimal training.—Zachary Lewis
Zachary LewisExamples of ably in a Sentence
ably maneuvered the boat up to the dock
Recent Examples on the Web
That’s where director Len Wiseman, who ably directed Underworld and Live Free or Die Hard, follows Popeye’s Doin’ Impossikible Stunts.
—Armond White, National Review, 11 June 2025
In a big cast, ably applied by Knechtges through the larger scenes, Garrett Clayton stands out as an especially effective Hans, Anna’s two-faced, power-seeking-in-disguise prince.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 10 June 2025
The film’s driving ideas, which transform over the course of the picture, are replete with ironic potential, but Flanagan ably navigates the tonal minefield, never presenting the whole thing as a wink-wink joke on his characters.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 June 2025
This unique baseball record must be earned on the field, as the Sox did so ably last year.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2025
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Armond White, National Review, 11 June 2025
In a big cast, ably applied by Knechtges through the larger scenes, Garrett Clayton stands out as an especially effective Hans, Anna’s two-faced, power-seeking-in-disguise prince.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 10 June 2025
The film’s driving ideas, which transform over the course of the picture, are replete with ironic potential, but Flanagan ably navigates the tonal minefield, never presenting the whole thing as a wink-wink joke on his characters.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 June 2025
This unique baseball record must be earned on the field, as the Sox did so ably last year.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ably
Cite this Entry
“Ably.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ably. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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