as in masterfully
in a skillful or expert manner
ably maneuvered the boat up to the dock
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Recent Examples of ably
And Yokohama ably depicts a privileged young man who rightly views his good fortune as both blessing and curse.
—
Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Walker replaced Smith in the post and ably picked up the slack.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
And, speaking of music, Wheeler is ably assisted by an acoustic duo known as Northern Shores, underscoring the story with Celtic elements.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2026
The casting does fantastic worldbuilding, ably finds an actor who can take on a very tricky role, and reminds us all of how good Ralph Fiennes looks in a red hat.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ably
Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Walker replaced Smith in the post and ably picked up the slack.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
And, speaking of music, Wheeler is ably assisted by an acoustic duo known as Northern Shores, underscoring the story with Celtic elements.
—Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2026
The casting does fantastic worldbuilding, ably finds an actor who can take on a very tricky role, and reminds us all of how good Ralph Fiennes looks in a red hat.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ably
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ably
Adverb
-
Before things unraveled, Latz pitched masterfully, and the Rangers swatted a pair of home runs in regulation to even the season’s first series and win 5-4 on a chilly afternoon.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Jeffries then masterfully wrapped Copeland’s hair into what was meant to appear like an infinite knot.—
Tori Crowther,
Allure,
16 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The Broncos are high on rising third-year tackle Frank Crum, who filled in capably in spot snaps in 2025 when McGlinchey was temporarily banged up.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The wacky characters and stretchy action of the franchise were capably brought to life in a candy-colored world, and it was renewed for a second season almost immediately.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
6 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Gorton skillfully depicts the grueling decades-long struggle of Sanger (the icon, in this telling) and Dennett (the idealist) to make birth control available and legal, as well as their interpersonal competition for power and influence.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Mar. 2026
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Adriana Lambarri’s costumes skillfully replicate the actor’s garb in the film while composer/sound designer Jazer Sibley-Schwartz channels at the outset a knowing nod to John Williams’ indelible, two-note cadence of menacing notes announcing the shark’s arrival.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
10 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Austin-Gatson emphasized that Georgia's current system — primaries followed by general elections — allows voters to better evaluate candidates and ensures fairness in the process.—
CBS Atlanta Digital Team,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Sacramento got to the line plenty as well before the break, shooting 8 for 11.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The sleek silhouette pairs easily with classic cigarette jeans, fluid satin dresses or with leggings tucked neatly into the boot for an equestrian leaning finish.—
Minty Mellon,
Vogue,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The sound of the concert didn’t die neatly with distance.—
Yook JiHun,
Popular Science,
26 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Power loves a vacuum, and Valerie competently steps in to work with other professionals and guide the process to good, if not great, success.—
Jennifer Silverman,
Rolling Stone,
29 Mar. 2026
-
But the speed and the solidarity with which states came forward suggest the states don’t feel like the DOJ acted competently.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Now the pair are filling the former Slab space with trout that swims in chive beurre blanc; burgers crowned with a range of French cheeses; and expertly made baguettes that receive smears of butter d’Isigny.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
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The chaos is still an acceptable price to pay for Birney’s expertly offputting performance, a shrill mania that gets increasingly comic over time.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
As my colleague Sam McDowell deftly summed up last week, Royals outfielders combined in 2025 to finish last in on-base percentage, 29th in OPS (on-base plus slugging), 29th in home runs and 30th in runs.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
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The International Festival of Arts & Ideas, the annual event that deftly bridges the gap between when all the college students in and around New Haven leave the city in May and when the summer starts a few weeks later in June, has not yet announced its full 2026 schedule.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ably.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ably. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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