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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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 As the slightly more sensible Tess, Ginger Minj is the glue of the production, ably carrying the heavy burden of turning the very silly storyline into something broadly coherent. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for ably

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ably

Adverb

Ahluwalia x Puma Blending the designer’s Indian-Nigerian culture with Puma’s legendary sportswear designs, this partnership masterfully resulted in a colorful, chic athleisure capsule.

— Virginia Corneli, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026
The Soundcore Select 4 Go pairs an adventure-proof IP67 design with exceptional 20-hour battery life masterfully.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of masterfully

Adverb

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
And there was also a favorable response on Saturday to Amazon/MGM’s Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, an action-thriller led capably by Mahershala Ali.

— Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of capably

Adverb

Jay has always skillfully folded each turn into his larger mythology, going from drug dealer to rapper to label boss to executive with an air of inevitability, every choice subsumed into the glory of the hustle.

— Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026
These nine classics skillfully keep audiences guessing while depicting different kinds of waking nightmares, making the protagonists’ traumas our own for a few entertaining hours.

— David Faris, TheWeek, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of skillfully

Adverb

What makes the guest list truly striking is its refusal to stay neatly within the lines of traditional fashion.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Although System of a Down is often grouped with the nu metal bands that dominated heavy music at the time, including Korn and Limp Bizkit, Malakian never saw the band as fitting neatly into any genre.

— Alex Distefano, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 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

Kelela expertly navigated this conversation while promoting her immersive New Avatar, which surveys indie rock, shoegaze and grunge from an R&B vantage point.

— Kyle Denis, Billboard, 12 Oct. 2026
Setting the shifting moods expertly is Michael Giacchino’s score that nicely avoids the clichés of the genre(s) while still honoring them.

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of expertly

Adverb

Throughout her career, Simon has deftly taken on fraught historical or political baggage but always in a way that prioritizes the emotional core of the material.

— Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
Yet Seghers deftly exposes the insecurity, loneliness, and longing that hide behind masculinist poses.

— Alex Ross, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of deftly

Browse Nearby Words

abluted

ably

abnegate

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ably.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ably. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of ably

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

deportment

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes