as in masterfully
in a skillful or expert manner
the sushi chef artfully filleted the salmon
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Recent Examples of artfully
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
In a beautiful, inventive design by Jon Carloftis, robust pyramidal forms are artfully softened by grassy perennials, resulting in an unexpected and striking foundation planting.
—Lauren Dunec Hoang, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Mar. 2026
Piled on or artfully peeled away.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026
Each villa also offers Pacific Ocean views, a private infinity-edge pool (artfully positioned into the hillside while also attached to the home), a large terrace, and a kitchen stocked with KitchenAid appliances.
—Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 24 Feb. 2026
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
In a beautiful, inventive design by Jon Carloftis, robust pyramidal forms are artfully softened by grassy perennials, resulting in an unexpected and striking foundation planting.
—Lauren Dunec Hoang, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Mar. 2026
Piled on or artfully peeled away.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026
Each villa also offers Pacific Ocean views, a private infinity-edge pool (artfully positioned into the hillside while also attached to the home), a large terrace, and a kitchen stocked with KitchenAid appliances.
—Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for artfully
Adverb
-
The show at the Kimbell is masterfully installed, both impressive and subtle in its narrative flow and visual rhythm and at moments quite moving.—
Sarah Kozlowski,
Dallas Morning News,
21 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
-
Experts estimate that their new world tour could become the best-selling ever, challenging Taylor Swift’s $2 billion record, while Bloomberg predicted that today’s launch concert alone could generate as much as $177 million in economic activity for Seoul.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Ovalles Ubri, also from Allentown, has been arrested in connection with the shooting as well.—
Laura Fay,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Pendant lighting by Devol hangs over the island, where Frama stools tuck in neatly.—
Leonora Epstein,
Architectural Digest,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Her fresh braids were laid and neatly tucked under her signature paisley bandana, adorned by gems that reflected the strobe lights.—
DeMicia Inman,
VIBE.com,
18 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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Each dish is expertly paired with a wine chosen by the knowledgeable and charming sommelier, Victor.—
Irenie Forshaw,
TheWeek,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Peptight Tightening Neck Serum Roller is expertly formulated with Lifting Dipeptides.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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Stringing us along so deftly is part of Sams’s achievement.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The two-time Oscar winner captures Garland in showstopper mode and, with spine curved and cigarette in hand, deftly communicates Garland's deteriorating state and the toll of her struggles with addiction.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
10 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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Artfully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/artfully. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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