as in masterfully
in a skillful or expert manner
the sushi chef artfully filleted the salmon
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Recent Examples of artfully
Customers can also get a closer look at the espresso bar as baristas artfully whip up everything from a caramel macchiato to a cocoa cappuccino, with unobstructed views and new lighting above the pickup area.
—
Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
The town’s specialty is a cream cake called kremna rezina, with layers of cream and vanilla custard artfully sandwiched between sheets of delicate, crispy crust.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 8 Apr. 2026
As Puerto Rico’s hometown hero Bad Bunny artfully observed in his recent Super Bowl performance, the island’s grid is in tatters, and has been for years.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Although the bowls are often artfully arranged, this version is casual, with steamed vegetables added atop the rice in a higgledy-piggledy array.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 16 Mar. 2026
The interior spaces artfully play with old and new—Jacobean florals and damask textiles juxtapose nicely with custom wood furniture and bespoke BDDW ceramics (a favorite of Gwyneth Paltrow’s) in the form of lamps, room key fobs, and toilet paper holders, of all things.
—Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Mar. 2026
Breaking the Waves, von Trier’s beautiful and artfully punishing 1996 melodrama, elevated Skarsgård’s image in America from side character to formidable screen presence.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
In the end, people will always crave new, artfully told stories.
—Holly Willis, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026
Penelope Cruz has embraced the artfully overgrown bang for years and this Chanel-ready styling — replete with bouffant and black ribbon — relies on the fringe for its flirty finish.
—Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 11 Mar. 2026
Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
The town’s specialty is a cream cake called kremna rezina, with layers of cream and vanilla custard artfully sandwiched between sheets of delicate, crispy crust.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 8 Apr. 2026
As Puerto Rico’s hometown hero Bad Bunny artfully observed in his recent Super Bowl performance, the island’s grid is in tatters, and has been for years.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Although the bowls are often artfully arranged, this version is casual, with steamed vegetables added atop the rice in a higgledy-piggledy array.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 16 Mar. 2026
The interior spaces artfully play with old and new—Jacobean florals and damask textiles juxtapose nicely with custom wood furniture and bespoke BDDW ceramics (a favorite of Gwyneth Paltrow’s) in the form of lamps, room key fobs, and toilet paper holders, of all things.
—Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Mar. 2026
Breaking the Waves, von Trier’s beautiful and artfully punishing 1996 melodrama, elevated Skarsgård’s image in America from side character to formidable screen presence.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
In the end, people will always crave new, artfully told stories.
—Holly Willis, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026
Penelope Cruz has embraced the artfully overgrown bang for years and this Chanel-ready styling — replete with bouffant and black ribbon — relies on the fringe for its flirty finish.
—Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for artfully
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
-
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
-
And the Knicks better be ready, ready for the Celtics to attempt to exact some revenge for the way things ended a season ago.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
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This will better set you up to have a productive conversation with your stepdaughter about what everyone expects going forward.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
None of those things fit neatly into a 30-second video clip.—
Rep. Nick Menapace,
Hartford Courant,
8 Apr. 2026
-
This rhetoric neatly aligns with choice feminism, but the conversation feels similarly labyrinthine.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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As my colleague Zach Harper expertly pointed out Wednesday, the rule itself — mandating that any player eligible for a postseason award must play 65 games in a season — looks pretty dumb right now.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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With breezy maxi skirts, flattering barrel jeans, buttery soft cashmere cardigans, and classic boxy tees, the selection feels expertly curated for easy dressing.—
Tanya Sharma,
PEOPLE,
9 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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Over the last 25 years, Nolan has delivered film after film that deftly balances mainstream appeal with eye-popping visuals, inventive narrative structures and special effects, and existential and/or philosophical themes.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
6 Apr. 2026
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The skit started out drilling down on the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament’s Final Four before deftly segueing to the April 2 firing of Pam Bondi.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
4 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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Apple's iMac is the pre-eminent all-in-one on the market, a stylish and slick computer that's designed for creative work but capably handles entertainment and productivity as well.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
1 Apr. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Artfully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/artfully. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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