craft 1 of 2

1
as in art
an occupation requiring skillful use of the hands an expert in the craft of cabinetmaking

Synonyms & Similar Words

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craft

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun craft contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of craft are artifice, art, cunning, and skill. While all these words mean "the faculty of executing well what one has devised," craft may imply expertness in workmanship.

the craft of a master goldsmith

When is it sensible to use art instead of craft?

In some situations, the words art and craft are roughly equivalent. However, art implies a personal, unanalyzable creative power.

the art of choosing the right word

When could artifice be used to replace craft?

While in some cases nearly identical to craft, artifice suggests technical skill especially in imitating things in nature.

believed realism in film could be achieved only by artifice

Where would cunning be a reasonable alternative to craft?

The words cunning and craft are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, cunning suggests ingenuity and subtlety in devising, inventing, or executing.

a mystery plotted with great cunning

When would skill be a good substitute for craft?

The meanings of skill and craft largely overlap; however, skill stresses technical knowledge and proficiency.

the skill of a glassblower

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 craft
Noun
Hassanein put on 20 or 25 pounds of muscle each year of high school, woke up at 5 a.m. for workouts, watched film constantly and practiced his craft. Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025 To stage Jordan’s dual role, for which both brothers are often together in the same frame, Coogler, relying on elaborate technology, displays a modest yet astounding craft. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
With performances spanning hits from the 1980s to the 2000s, the night was a powerful tribute to Diane Warren’s enduring influence and her gift for crafting songs that transcend genres and connect with audiences across generations. Kristen Wisneski, Billboard, 29 Apr. 2025 Warfare, beautifully crafted, tells the harrowing story of the men’s rescue in real time. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for craft
Recent Examples of Synonyms for craft
Noun
  • Nearby, the Linen Quarter and Cathedral Quarter are buzzing with cafes, street art, and pubs, blending the old and new, and British and Irish culture, with surprising ease.
    David Nikel, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • With each iteration, her art recalibrates itself to local materials, histories, and ecosystems.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 3 May 2025
Noun
  • Anglers were returning to camp from various points in the lake, so our pilot picked the spot least likely to have boats on it.
    Charles Elliott, Outdoor Life, 1 May 2025
  • There were 11 adult men and four adult women aboard the boat, all claiming Mexican nationality, according to the release.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • The Erosion Of Trust Through Inconsistent Words Many people associate the breakdown of trust with major betrayals like infidelity or deception.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Warrantless search and seizure, deception, untrammeled use of force.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Despite being outnumbered 50-to-1 by the Five Families of the Italian mafia, the Westies’ legendary brutality and cunning have given them the leverage necessary to share the spoils through a fragile détente.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Noted for his tenacity and cunning, Khamenei is also a man of conviction, and his hatred for the United States is deeply felt.
    Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • In this sports competition, athletes on the Red Team and the Blue Team put their physical and mental skills to the test against a series of innovative circuits and challenges.
    Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 8 May 2025
  • However, their skills were often downplayed by claims that they’d been signed to generate ticket sales and boost interest in the struggling league.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • Currently, the world’s cardinals are preparing for the papal conclave this Wednesday, hosting general congregations ahead of the Vatican event that will see the Sistine Chapel’s ceremonial chimney eventually release white smoke in celebration of the election of the 267th pope.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 4 May 2025
  • Workers have been preparing for the meeting of cardinals, set to begin May 7, which will end with the election of a new pope.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 4 May 2025
Noun
  • Ministers must urgently prioritise this as part of the trade negotiations currently underway.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 5 May 2025
  • The president has invoked the act on the theory that trade imbalances are a national emergency.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 5 May 2025
Noun
  • Blank sailings, when vessels cancel a call at a port, have become more of a commonality on the trans-Pacific trade lane as exports out of China continue to see a massive slowdown.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 2 May 2025
  • The Maltese government said the vessel and its crew were secured in the early hours of the morning after a nearby tug assisted with firefighting operations, but the NGO and Swedish activist Greta Thunberg said the ship was still in danger.
    Christopher Scicluna and Ilze Filks, USA Today, 2 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Craft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/craft. Accessed 11 May. 2025.

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