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

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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 Whitecaps ably replaced four players – three sidelined by injury — who made large contributions to the playoff win. — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 2026 Marianna Gailus and Sepideh Moafi (The Pitt) ably perform the others, but Jackman is stunning as a man failing to balance love and lust. — Tiffany Kelly, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026 The exhibition still ably singles out punk artists and groups with Jewish heritage like the Patti Smith Group, Blondie, Richard Hell, the Dictators and Suicide, as well as band managers, label executives, club owners and photographers who were part of the scene. — Siran Babayan, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026 Driver ably brings the heartbreak in Paper Tiger, though Johansson’s no slouch in a less ornate but no less harrowing role that involves her character having a health scare and having to develop a very different perspective on the future. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 17 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for ably

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ably

Adverb

While traditional tailoring and minimalist silhouettes dominated the red carpet, prospects masterfully personalized their looks.

— Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Son moved fast, especially up the left wing, and arced balls masterfully into the corners of the net.

— E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 24 June 2026

Definition of masterfully

Adverb

Meanwhile, a flashback, set vaguely in the Before Times, presents a girl playing with the ragdoll Jessie, a cowgirl and aspirant sheriff, voiced enthusiastically and most capably by Joan Cusack.

— Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 27 June 2026
Backed by tens of thousands of raucous fans in the Los Angeles area, Bosnia capably hung with Switzerland into the second half — until the hydration break led to a moment of brilliance from Manzambi, a 20-year-old Geneva native who plays for German club Freiburg.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 June 2026

Definition of capably

Adverb

In one of prettiest team goals of this tournament, Ayase Ueda skillfully found Ritsu Doan, who threaded it to Maeda.

— Andrew Greif, NBC news, 26 June 2026
The staff knows the menu and wine list back to front, and buzz around the dining room quickly and skillfully.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 June 2026

Definition of skillfully

Adverb

Below, browse through lots of loafers fit for easy summer dressing and well beyond.

— Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 7 July 2026
In a statement, an AT&T spokesperson said modern alternatives to copper hold up better during disasters and said landline service wouldn’t be discontinued until at least June 1, 2027.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of well

Adverb

Getty Images Key Facts During Manhattanhenge, the sunset point is neatly positioned between skyscrapers in Manhattan, New York City.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Feelings from optimism to selfishness to lust are all neatly captured with song and dance.

— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2026

Definition of neatly

Adverb

Unless operated competently such missiles may be worse than useless.

— David Hambling, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
The real issue is whether AI is being implemented transparently, responsibly and accountably — and whether regulators themselves understand these systems well enough to govern them competently.

— Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 14 June 2026

Definition of competently

Adverb

Each one of our lucky clients will be expertly matched with a Skarsgård sibling, which are indeterminate in number.

— Sarah Hutto, New Yorker, 7 July 2026
Piercing the sterility of contemporary life with the disruptive transgression of eroticism, Silver’s film features dreamy fantasy sequences that interrupt and disrupt, drawing us expertly into its characters’ sensual and unusual interiority.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 2 July 2026

Definition of expertly

Adverb

But the real coup is Dippold's command of tone, deftly pivoting between nightmarish, surreal, wickedly funny, and soul-stirring modes, sometimes within single scenes.

— Samantha Highfill, Entertainment Weekly, 6 July 2026
Even though Clinton’s remarks Saturday received muted response on cable news due to the heatwave and Trump’s excesses, online the former President deftly tapped into the shifts among Democrats for a more combative approach to curb MAGA.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 4 July 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 10 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of ably

adverb

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