1
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
the artful lawyer got the witness to admit he had been lying
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inventive
showing a noteworthy use of the imagination and creativity especially in inventing
that kitchen gadget is an artful tool for extracting cherry pits
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in virtuoso
accomplished with trained ability
that was an artful way to handle a very delicate situation
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of artful
This boundary-pushing spot serves a multicourse tasting menu that celebrates modern Canadian cuisine with seasonal, artful dishes.
—
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Travel + Leisure,
18 June 2026
The majority of his customers come in for tattoos of a conventional and artful sort.
—
Rick Kogan,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2026
But there was no kissing or tickling last night—no exposition of the artful ways that one can sneakily overtake an opponent through charm or surprise.
—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
15 June 2026
The back of the blousey midi dress also featured an asymmetrical hem that gave the design an artful finish.
—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for artful
Alexandra Emanuelli,
Travel + Leisure,
18 June 2026
The majority of his customers come in for tattoos of a conventional and artful sort.
—
Rick Kogan,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2026
But there was no kissing or tickling last night—no exposition of the artful ways that one can sneakily overtake an opponent through charm or surprise.
—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
15 June 2026
The back of the blousey midi dress also featured an asymmetrical hem that gave the design an artful finish.
—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
13 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for artful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for artful
Adjective
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Daemon is one of the most clever, cunning and conniving characters in House of the Dragon, who always seems to have the upper hand.
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Under this light, Penelope emerges as exemplary, cunning, wounded, and trapped by the male order that praises her.
Adjective
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Steven Soderbergh was determined to publish his inventive work Production 02074 exactly 51 years after the launch of its subject, Steven Spielberg‘s 1975 classic Jaws.
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Sunnei emerged on the international scene with unexpected and inventive show concepts, and the designers share with Franco Moschino a tongue-in-cheek attitude to fashion, peppering their collections with fashion commentary.
Adjective
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Thanks to more than 200 years of intense and virtuoso scientific work, what were once valid or at least plausible concerns and objections to vaccines have been overcome.
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A lot of the movie feels like a virtuoso chase sequence, people barreling down the road, guns blazing.
Adjective
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Meanwhile, a cute side slit and practical pocket on the shorts add style and functionality.
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Join the droves of shoppers buying this cute henley top with a relaxed fit.
Adjective
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Instead of adding more junk to your drawers, these clever gadgets actually solve kitchen dilemmas we’re all faced with.
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Perhaps one of these seven recently-in-theaters flicks — including a blockbuster sequel, a clever piece of folk horror, a controversial biopic, and the latest from a British film legend.
Adjective
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One of the few calls of the night was from Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault, ready to get his hands on the skillful point guard.
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His lyrics were layered, skillful and unorthodox.
Adjective
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Available in a style with the same stripes that Paltrow favors, the top offers a subtle pattern that’ll make your outfit pop.
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The square neckline adds a flattering, feminine touch, while the subtle volume in the sleeves gives it a slightly dressier feel than your average tee.
Adjective
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Film Independent is expanding the Film Independent Spirit Awards with the introduction of the Robert Redford Environmental Vision Award, a new honor recognizing narrative film and television works that engage with environmental issues through innovative and impactful storytelling.
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Companion pieces in black titanium and white diamonds introduce a contemporary contrast while reinforcing the collection's emphasis on innovative materials and craftsmanship.
Cite this Entry
“Artful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/artful. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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