ABLY Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

ably

adverb

ˈā-b(ə-)lē

Definition of ably

as in masterfully

in a skillful or expert manner ably maneuvered the boat up to the dock

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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 ably The kitchen is ably led by former River Café head chef Danny Bohan, whose menu draws on French and Italian culinary traditions with highlights like Dorset crab with tomatoes and aioli and sea bass carpaccio. — Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 The former Liverpool winger then picked out Mostafa Ziko, who finished ably. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 7 July 2026 To Jordan Flowers, the executive director of the Disclosure Foundation, the film ably dramatizes what his organization has been trying to tell the general public ever since those modern whistleblowers started coming forward ten years ago. — Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 19 June 2026 England's squad is spearheaded by Harry Kane, who is ably supported by the likes of Reece James, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, and Anthony Gordon. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ably

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ably

Adverb

Rosalía had no need for a flat shoe, and masterfully walked through the subway grates with her statement high heels while showing off her toned legs with a minimalist all-black minidress.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of masterfully

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

Adverb

The video shows Nevada skillfully dribbling the ball and scoring, before cutting to the preschool prodigy looking at the cops with confusion.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of skillfully

Adverb

For most of the game, without cornerbacks Mansoor Delane (shoulder) and L’Jarius Sneed (knee), Kansas City covered Denver’s dynamic receivers well.

— Pete Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026
And the party’s inability to come together during the final week of the election is likely to haunt it well into the 2028 primary.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of well

Adverb

The robot can unload up to 1,000 cases per hour, although actual throughput depends on factors such as box weight and how neatly or irregularly packages are stacked inside trailers.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
If pantry snacks are spilling out onto the floor, add these bins on a shelf to keep individual snacks visible and neatly stowed.

— Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of neatly

Adverb

But their ability to competently run a city, connecting directly with local needs, often sets them up for national politics.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026
Nor does Moshe appear a natural action director, as the setpieces here are just competently staged rather than harrowing, and overall tension goes slack on occasion.

— Dennis Harvey, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of competently

Adverb

Though the signature dumplings, chor muang—chicken and peanut filling encased in delicate butterfly pea flower dough—are the star, don’t overlook the noodle dishes, which are slurpable, expertly sauced, and so soft as to be almost buttery.

— Ali Domrongchai, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026
How to Style It This fall look from Holmes expertly shows how to style a silk midi skirt for daytime.

— Melony Forcier, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of expertly

Adverb

The filling is silky and rich, deftly spiced with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, and tastes unmistakably of pumpkin.

— Rick Martinez, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
And when an adult in the room was needed to drive discussions on race relations or other serious issues, Johnson handled that deftly, too.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of deftly

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abluted

ably

abnegate

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“Ably.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ably. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of ably

adverb

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