as in masterfully
in a skillful or expert manner
ably maneuvered the boat up to the dock
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ably
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
As Harry, Northeast Minneapolis product Nick Dillenburg ably captures a man who worries his best days are behind him, while Ryan Hallahan brings a wise and wary air to Draco.
—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
30 Apr. 2026
After all, Denver has all five starters back from last year, is paying all of them handsomely and has built a developmental group in Palczewski, Crum and Forsyth behind that have all stepped into games ably.
—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ably
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
As Harry, Northeast Minneapolis product Nick Dillenburg ably captures a man who worries his best days are behind him, while Ryan Hallahan brings a wise and wary air to Draco.
—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
30 Apr. 2026
After all, Denver has all five starters back from last year, is paying all of them handsomely and has built a developmental group in Palczewski, Crum and Forsyth behind that have all stepped into games ably.
—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ably
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ably
Adverb
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The renovation masterfully blends contemporary comforts with the Inn's historic character, aiming for a sophisticated yet authentic residential feel.
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Their pursuit leads them down a highly unusual path with no easy answers, and Bong masterfully balances tonal shifts from bleak tragedy to absurdist humor to highlight why the case remains so compelling.
Adverb
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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.
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Boston College transfer Omar Thornton also is an accomplished safety, but UM used him primarily at nickel cornerback this spring, a role handled capably last season by Keionte Scott, who’s now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Adverb
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Justin Hale has spent his career helping leaders break that silence—skillfully, humanely, and with lasting results.
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Sharing skillfully, in ways that foster connection, isn’t always easy, Lyubomirsky and Reis insist.
Adverb
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The legendary German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer seemed well-positioned to catch the ball.
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Unlike the public comment sessions of school board meetings, which have been overwhelmingly well-attended since the Texas Education Agency took over the district in March, there was no time limit for remarks.
Adverb
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Seated near the senators, a woman in a crisp white uniform appears to listen in, her hands folded neatly in her lap.
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Legacy is what keeps many founders going when the numbers no longer add up neatly.
Adverb
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Unless operated competently such missiles may be worse than useless.
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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.
Adverb
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Paula turns on a dime, expertly masks her horror, stress, and despair, and puts on a smile for her little girl.
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Emma Hayes, the head coach of the United States’ women’s team, provided tactical analysis of the match, expertly delivered in just 70 seconds.
Adverb
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Similarly, John Portman’s Entelechy II in Georgia and Ray Kappe’s home in Los Angeles deftly manipulate space and perspective, employing bold geometries and gravity-defying cantilevers to connect airy interiors to the landscape.
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Both were able to deftly differentiate between information released before the latest patch and information released afterward, even when articles didn’t explicitly mention which game version they were based on.
Cite this Entry
“Ably.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ably. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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