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 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

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
Seattle accomplishes this by masterfully disguising defensive assignments before the snap, which can force Mahomes to diagnose where to go with the football only after dropping back.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 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

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
When daily life can feel quite bruising and fractious, documentaries skillfully encourage us to let our guard down and connect with real-life stories and people… sometimes challenging, often invigorating, and always meaningful.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of skillfully

Adverb

The trend marks a stark turn from earlier this decade, when sellers often received well above their asking price as home shoppers empowered by rock-bottom mortgage rates fueled a buying frenzy that sent home prices soaring.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Technique works well in testing This strategy optimizes both the transport and perovskite layers together, driving efficiency and durability to record levels.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of well

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

It’s expertly crafted, almost like a brutalist statement piece in your office.

— Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 25 Oct. 2026
Come cocktail hour, pull back the deep olive green curtain on the second floor and slip into Sloane’s, a gorgeously intimate, discreet spot made for cozy chats over expertly mixed drinks.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of expertly

Adverb

Pawlikowski is also the director of the 2013 Ida, as well 2018’s Cold War, pictures that, like this one, deftly balance postwar Eastern Bloc realities with the truth that all humans strive for connection and belonging.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 23 Oct. 2026
John Steinbeck wrote Cathy Ames, the antagonist of his novel East of Eden, as the embodiment of original sin, and in Zoe Kazan’s Netflix adaptation, Florence Pugh deftly channels the character’s ambition and cynicism.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 16 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ably

adverb

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