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Synonym Chooser

How is the word artful distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of artful are crafty, cunning, foxy, slick, sly, tricky, and wily. While all these words mean "attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means," artful implies indirectness in dealing and often connotes sophistication or cleverness.

elicited the information by artful questioning

When might crafty be a better fit than artful?

The meanings of crafty and artful largely overlap; however, crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of method.

a crafty lefthander

When could cunning be used to replace artful?

Although the words cunning and artful have much in common, cunning suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence in overreaching or circumventing.

the cunning fox avoided the trap

Where would foxy be a reasonable alternative to artful?

The words foxy and artful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, foxy implies a shrewd and wary craftiness usually involving devious dealing.

a foxy publicity man planting stories

In what contexts can slick take the place of artful?

The words slick and artful can be used in similar contexts, but slick emphasizes smoothness and guile.

slick operators selling time-sharing

When would sly be a good substitute for artful?

In some situations, the words sly and artful are roughly equivalent. However, sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods.

a sly corporate raider

When is it sensible to use tricky instead of artful?

While in some cases nearly identical to artful, tricky is more likely to suggest shiftiness and unreliability than skill in deception and maneuvering.

a tricky political operative

When can wily be used instead of artful?

While the synonyms wily and artful are close in meaning, wily implies skill and deception in maneuvering.

the wily fugitive escaped the posse

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 artful Based on Denis Johnson’s award-winning novella, this artful, elliptical tale of one ordinary man’s life (Edgerton) in the early 20th century has already received rave reviews out of the Sundance Film Festival. Tolly Wright, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2025 Compact yet artful, this statement piece seamlessly translates the suede trend into night-out and cocktail-ready territory. Lauren Alexis Fisher, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2025 McLaren and her team work on residential and commercial projects nationwide, incorporating an artful blend of styles and plenty of surprising details, from bold wall conversing to unexpected color palettes. Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 3 Sep. 2025 Joan Silber is a contemporary genius at creating artful stories of a multitude of characters who ricochet in cunning ways, crossing generations and continents. Jane Ciabattari september 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for artful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for artful
Adjective
  • On this occasion, Fernandez’s cross flies over Cucurella and straight into the thick of the action, where Joao Pedro’s cunning movement creates space to get his header away.
    Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Bening will costar on the series as Beulah Jackson, who's described as the powerful, cunning, and charming head of a major ranch in Texas.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s humor, insight, and a ton of catchy and inventive premises here.
    James Folta, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Still, these issues fade into the background as you’re presented with some of the most inventive and subversive artistic creations of 2025.
    Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Kirk Baxter’s arrhythmic cutting is designed around quicksilver shifts that, along with Barry Ackroyd’s restlessly attentive, mostly handheld camerawork, allow Bigelow to redirect our attention with virtuoso command.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The buzzy long-sleeve shirt has a cute ribbed design, and it’s made of soft, stretchy fabric that doesn’t feel overly restrictive.
    Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
  • This cute camisole is perfect for lounging around or pairing with your favorite sweatpants or leggings.
    Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Hacking a pre-Internet console Making this amusing amalgam of past and present technology possible required some clever engineering.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
  • If so, its still a quick and clever method for styling a bun in a pinch.
    Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The more success rolled, the more damage done, the more skillful the hack and so on.
    Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Powell, skillful at opaque Fed-speak, nonetheless signaled a simulative change is likely.
    Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • His celebration was subtle yet suave, a drop of his bat with a flick of his wrist.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025
  • This is clearly a quick screen and may not pick up more subtle issues.
    Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Often, the most innovative solutions come from combining AI insights with human wisdom from diverse sources.
    Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • What transpired were innovative and somewhat futuristic trousers, blazers, and outerwear.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 12 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Artful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/artful. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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