as in masterfully
in a skillful or expert manner
the sushi chef artfully filleted the salmon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 artfully
When medicine can't treat her cancer, a dying youngster (Zelda Adams) reaches out to a forest witch (Toby Poser) who uses dark magic to cheat death, but there's a serious cost involved in this rich and artfully crafted scary movie.
—
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
The scenes at the reunion are simply but artfully shot in black and white, including a revealing conversation the men’s wives and partners have about living with them that gently expands the perspectives brought into the film’s portrait.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
The model must know the rules well enough to know how to break them artfully.
—Amir Husain, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
The film artfully blends wacky gags and references with resonant themes that affect our world, including discrimination and unconscious bias, satisfying viewers of all ages.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Jan. 2026
No theme rings more true than in Ariel Mahler’s short film Re-Entry, a masterclass character study that artfully weaves the tender and cerebral in a tale of reconciliation with past regrets and the overwhelming power of self-love.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 24 Dec. 2025
Despite the rich visuals and heavy subject matter, the film itself feels subtle and restrained, the surreal plot artfully revealing itself to the viewer piece by devastating piece.
—Anastasia Sanger, Glamour, 22 Dec. 2025
It’s artfully sauced with mole negro and crema.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 20 Dec. 2025
The right blouse, artfully draped and all, should come in fluid fabrics, with a gentle stand collar or soft neckline that lets hair slip in and stay put.
—Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2025
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
The scenes at the reunion are simply but artfully shot in black and white, including a revealing conversation the men’s wives and partners have about living with them that gently expands the perspectives brought into the film’s portrait.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 29 Jan. 2026
The model must know the rules well enough to know how to break them artfully.
—Amir Husain, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
The film artfully blends wacky gags and references with resonant themes that affect our world, including discrimination and unconscious bias, satisfying viewers of all ages.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Jan. 2026
No theme rings more true than in Ariel Mahler’s short film Re-Entry, a masterclass character study that artfully weaves the tender and cerebral in a tale of reconciliation with past regrets and the overwhelming power of self-love.
—Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 24 Dec. 2025
Despite the rich visuals and heavy subject matter, the film itself feels subtle and restrained, the surreal plot artfully revealing itself to the viewer piece by devastating piece.
—Anastasia Sanger, Glamour, 22 Dec. 2025
It’s artfully sauced with mole negro and crema.
—Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 20 Dec. 2025
The right blouse, artfully draped and all, should come in fluid fabrics, with a gentle stand collar or soft neckline that lets hair slip in and stay put.
—Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for artfully
Adverb
-
Director Tony Williams masterfully curates a mood of oppressive dread from the opening minutes through the bloody climax and explosive final frames, making this one of the very best Australian horror films of all time.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Fuerza Regida masterfully blends heartbreak and dangerous rumors into one gripping track.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
30 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Lamont has so far skillfully navigated the erratic, unilateral and sometimes vengeful policy pronouncements from Washington.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
-
This 2026 reissue of the sneaker features a slim shape and a low profile—skillfully tapping into the current hype surrounding nostalgic slim sneakers.—
Katharina Fuchs,
Glamour,
1 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Dale has state government, education, radio and television experience as well.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
-
While traders are trying to cash in on the rally, geopolitical uncertainty persists, boding well for gold prices.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
None was required for that surreptitious exchange– two dollars for a warm burrito neatly wrapped.—
Krista Kafer,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Abrams also cautioned that Washington priorities will define Dogu’s mission, and those priorities might not always align neatly with democratic objectives.—
Yamlek Mojica Loaisiga,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
This stylistic approach allows Herbert to expertly avoid inadvertently selling Natchez itself, instead focusing on how this town’s peculiar relationship to an overwhelming past still lives inside those doing the selling.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Steering feels expertly calibrated for comfortable precision, the ride is appropriately smooth in a way that always feels in control and composed, and the whole thing never feels unhappy being thrown around a back road.—
Adam Ismail,
The Drive,
5 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Catching the ball and deftly pivoting around his defender, Drew Fielder had earned himself a heat check.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Feb. 2026
-
In each of these roles, O’Hara grounded these high-strung personas while deftly winking at the audience and letting them in on the joke, particularly in the films’ mock-interview segments.—
Paula Mejía,
The Atlantic,
4 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Newsom has capably sensed what Democrats want right now, and is delivering it with a roguish charisma.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2026
-
While Harmon has capably knocked down her midrange jumper lately, shooting guard Jordan Lee is in the midst of slump.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Artfully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/artfully. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
