as in masterfully
in a skillful or expert manner
ably maneuvered the boat up to the dock
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Recent Examples of ably
This can leave a certain blankness at the film’s center, but Seyfried’s performance ably fills in the emotional details.
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
At this point in time when AI is on the rise, there is a case for the Fed to be ably assisted by AI, if not completely replaced by it.
—Vipin Bharathan, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Can former Broncos passing game coordinator John Morton ably replace Ben Johnson as Jared Goff’s offensive coordinator?
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 29 Aug. 2025
Starring as Bella, Brittany Bellizeare also ably walks the tightrope by credibly portraying a fearful wife prone to bouts of hysteria in act one, to increasingly confident detective in act two.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ably
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
At this point in time when AI is on the rise, there is a case for the Fed to be ably assisted by AI, if not completely replaced by it.
—Vipin Bharathan, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Can former Broncos passing game coordinator John Morton ably replace Ben Johnson as Jared Goff’s offensive coordinator?
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 29 Aug. 2025
Starring as Bella, Brittany Bellizeare also ably walks the tightrope by credibly portraying a fearful wife prone to bouts of hysteria in act one, to increasingly confident detective in act two.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ably
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ably
Adverb
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Many movies tried to recreate its magic mixture, including some of its own sequels, but few achieved the merry concoction of frights, gore, and giggles that Craven handled so masterfully.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Sep. 2025
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Penalties aside, players are walking the line of aggression and discipline masterfully to avoid the most severe in-game penalty in college football.—
Haley Sawyer,
Oc Register,
21 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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Termination can occur immediately if the NBPA suspends or revokes an agent’s certification, but Turner capably performed his duties.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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Even if the free-agent linebacker addition isn’t back from a quad injury for Week 3 AFC against the Chargers, Justin Strnad filled in more than capably in Week 1, recording five tackles and a sack against Tennessee.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
8 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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Such early birds had not yet evolved many of the features that help modern birds fly skillfully and efficiently.—
Kate Wong,
Scientific American,
16 Sep. 2025
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Technology delivery that is driven by value in addition to productivity enables the organization to skillfully maneuver changes to business and external markets.—
Tipu Usha Vaithee Swaran,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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Both samples found incels to be ethnically diverse as well, despite misconceptions portraying them in the media as white right-wingers.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Sep. 2025
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While the defense played well, the loss was a crushing disappointment.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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But most of the laughs here are character-based, with performers neatly pitching their contributions for complementary contrast, like individual players in an orchestra.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
20 Sep. 2025
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And Wolfe Herd’s career—with its combination of early success, controversy, and ultimately a billion-dollar IPO—fits neatly into the genre.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
20 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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The selling point of the Conjurings is that they are competently made haunted house movies that reliably feature good set pieces.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
4 Sep. 2025
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The canine, named Charlie, was captured competently pulling the cover off an outdoor paddling pool, all by himself while his owner was away.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Aug. 2025
Adverb
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After three New York Fashion Week shows in as many days, Vivian Wilson seemed expertly unfazed by the chaotic backstage on Monday night, hours before walking her fourth and final runway of this year’s event.—
Pilar Melendez,
NBC news,
16 Sep. 2025
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Made of bamboo and a four-claw steelhead design, this stand-up tool expertly expunges weeds by the root and completely eliminates the need to bend, pull, or kneel.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Southern Living,
15 Sep. 2025
Adverb
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Period ambiance is kept low-key, mostly relegated to deftly chosen golden oldies (including a closing Sinatra track) that abet Kim Hong-jip and Lee Jin-hee’s original score.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
20 Sep. 2025
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And there’s the rub that Predators so deftly explores.—
Jason Newman,
Rolling Stone,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ably.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ably. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.
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