as in masterfully
in a skillful or expert manner
the company spokesperson deftly sidestepped the investigative reporter's questions
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Recent Examples of deftly
As my colleague Sam McDowell deftly summed up last week, Royals outfielders combined in 2025 to finish last in on-base percentage, 29th in OPS (on-base plus slugging), 29th in home runs and 30th in runs.
—
Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
The International Festival of Arts & Ideas, the annual event that deftly bridges the gap between when all the college students in and around New Haven leave the city in May and when the summer starts a few weeks later in June, has not yet announced its full 2026 schedule.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2026
In the opening section of the novel, Nerkagi deftly takes us through the experiences and viewpoints of the members of the camp.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Shatner deftly presents Kirk's delicate handling of interstellar trader Cyrano Jones's multiplying annoyances with a gentle humor and relaxed resignation as to the absurdity of the situation aboard the Enterprise.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 22 Mar. 2026
The two-time Oscar winner captures Garland in showstopper mode and, with spine curved and cigarette in hand, deftly communicates Garland's deteriorating state and the toll of her struggles with addiction.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
As your host, Lizzie Burder makes for very enjoyable company, deftly mixing child-like enthusiasm with just enough frantic dread to convince you that this whole operation could turn dangerous at any moment.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 7 Mar. 2026
The latest addition to the genre, AMC’s The Audacity, captures all the absurdities, egos, and jargon of the tech scene as deftly as its predecessors.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
That is certainly true of Harwood Park, an urban oasis that deftly incorporates and activates the historic architecture that surrounds it, forming an appealing place for public events and play.
—Mark Lamster
architecture Critic, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
The International Festival of Arts & Ideas, the annual event that deftly bridges the gap between when all the college students in and around New Haven leave the city in May and when the summer starts a few weeks later in June, has not yet announced its full 2026 schedule.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2026
In the opening section of the novel, Nerkagi deftly takes us through the experiences and viewpoints of the members of the camp.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Shatner deftly presents Kirk's delicate handling of interstellar trader Cyrano Jones's multiplying annoyances with a gentle humor and relaxed resignation as to the absurdity of the situation aboard the Enterprise.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 22 Mar. 2026
The two-time Oscar winner captures Garland in showstopper mode and, with spine curved and cigarette in hand, deftly communicates Garland's deteriorating state and the toll of her struggles with addiction.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
As your host, Lizzie Burder makes for very enjoyable company, deftly mixing child-like enthusiasm with just enough frantic dread to convince you that this whole operation could turn dangerous at any moment.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 7 Mar. 2026
The latest addition to the genre, AMC’s The Audacity, captures all the absurdities, egos, and jargon of the tech scene as deftly as its predecessors.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
That is certainly true of Harwood Park, an urban oasis that deftly incorporates and activates the historic architecture that surrounds it, forming an appealing place for public events and play.
—Mark Lamster
architecture Critic, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deftly
Adverb
-
Before things unraveled, Latz pitched masterfully, and the Rangers swatted a pair of home runs in regulation to even the season’s first series and win 5-4 on a chilly afternoon.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Jeffries then masterfully wrapped Copeland’s hair into what was meant to appear like an infinite knot.—
Tori Crowther,
Allure,
16 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
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,
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
Adverb
-
Austin-Gatson emphasized that Georgia's current system — primaries followed by general elections — allows voters to better evaluate candidates and ensures fairness in the process.—
CBS Atlanta Digital Team,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Sacramento got to the line plenty as well before the break, shooting 8 for 11.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
As Puerto Rico’s hometown hero Bad Bunny artfully observed in his recent Super Bowl performance, the island’s grid is in tatters, and has been for years.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Although the bowls are often artfully arranged, this version is casual, with steamed vegetables added atop the rice in a higgledy-piggledy array.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
16 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The sleek silhouette pairs easily with classic cigarette jeans, fluid satin dresses or with leggings tucked neatly into the boot for an equestrian leaning finish.—
Minty Mellon,
Vogue,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The sound of the concert didn’t die neatly with distance.—
Yook JiHun,
Popular Science,
26 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
There’s something comical in the symmetry, in how adroitly this word seems to shuttle between joy and pain.—
Jan Steyn,
The Dial,
10 Mar. 2026
-
One Battle After Another is another example of a film that adroitly channels modern anxieties.—
Jake Pitre,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Now the pair are filling the former Slab space with trout that swims in chive beurre blanc; burgers crowned with a range of French cheeses; and expertly made baguettes that receive smears of butter d’Isigny.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
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The chaos is still an acceptable price to pay for Birney’s expertly offputting performance, a shrill mania that gets increasingly comic over time.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The Broncos are high on rising third-year tackle Frank Crum, who filled in capably in spot snaps in 2025 when McGlinchey was temporarily banged up.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The wacky characters and stretchy action of the franchise were capably brought to life in a candy-colored world, and it was renewed for a second season almost immediately.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deftly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deftly. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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