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 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 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 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

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
This is a budget loadout, but the Intel Core i3 processor is a solid little performer that capably manages Web browsing, spreadsheets, document creation and more without breaking a sweat.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 7 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

The Lake of Dreams show still feels like an oddly charming fever dream—projections, puppetry, and music best experienced from SW, Lakeside, or the aft-deck fantasy bar literally called Aft.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Sep. 2026
Thanks to its premium plant-wax blend and 100 percent natural-fiber wick, the best-selling candle burns cleanly and evenly for up to 150 hours.

— Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of well

Adverb

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
While there are lots of things most people can competently do on their own, filing for bankruptcy is not one of them.

— Jay L. Zagorsky, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of competently

Adverb

Sybil appeared to be in charge of making the batter, expertly cracking eggs into the yellow mixer as Craig was on oven duty, putting the cookies in before carefully watching his daughter for permission to take the treats out.

— Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2026
Fonda’s flawless silver pixie changed that, revealing his rare ability to transform gray hair from some something to be concealed into something to be expertly cultivated — a technique few colorists had dared to master.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of expertly

Adverb

Dance movies marvelously translate primal emotions into motion, the human body becoming a supple instrument deftly communicating the pain, ecstasy and confusion of being alive.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Hasan deftly handles political seriousness and an unfathomable history and present of war and punitive state violence against Palestinians.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of deftly

Browse Nearby Words

abluted

ably

abnegate

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“Ably.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ably. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ably

adverb

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