1
as in virtuoso
accomplished with trained ability
a luthier whose deft craftsmanship is prized by violinists the world over
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dextrous
skillful with the hands
the deft jeweler quickly attached the diamond to its mount on the gold band
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deft
And then computers were built into deft manufacturing robots and human prosthetics.
—
Ginny Whitelaw, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
Adelman seemed to display a deft hand at navigating locker-room politics during his interim tenure.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 29 May 2025
Besides his scoring, rebounding and shot blocking, Condon is a deft passer who had nine games with at least 4 assists and plays with unrelenting effort.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2025
His attempt to turn the briefing into a public-relations coup—and to trade on his reputation as a deft negotiator has collapsed.
—Sizwe Mpofu Walsh, Time, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deft
Ginny Whitelaw, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
Adelman seemed to display a deft hand at navigating locker-room politics during his interim tenure.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 29 May 2025
Besides his scoring, rebounding and shot blocking, Condon is a deft passer who had nine games with at least 4 assists and plays with unrelenting effort.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2025
His attempt to turn the briefing into a public-relations coup—and to trade on his reputation as a deft negotiator has collapsed.
—Sizwe Mpofu Walsh, Time, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deft
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deft
Adjective
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Finnegans Wake, in his skillful hands, is a tapestry of all the works Joyce ever wrote, the final and protracted project of a writer who could never stop thinking about Ireland.—
Eric Bulson,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2025
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Their smart, aggressive defense disorients even the smoothest spacing and the most skillful shooters.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
Adjective
-
Sallis enters the professional ranks as a skilled guard with a smooth mid-range game, defensive versatility, room to grow as a shooter and playmaker and potential to develop in an NBA organization.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
27 June 2025
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Medicaid also funds the majority of long-term care for seniors in skilled nursing facilities.—
Pia Valvassori,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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The Belgian master of minimalism and wabi-sabi forever changed the design of sofas, and his way with rough-hewn wood furniture and beams, pale linen, an earthy palette, and a masterful blending of East and West and antique and contemporary are now canonized among professionals.—
Amy Astley,
Architectural Digest,
25 June 2025
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Gill goes on to justify this support with a masterful century in front of a sell-out crowd on day one.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
Adjective
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With wit and cunning, the protagonists navigate the ever-present systems of oppression that encircle them and their relationships.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 June 2025
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President Trump does not exhibit Bismarck’s cunning, inscrutability, or proclivity for complicated diplomacy.—
Charles C. W. Cooke,
National Review,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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If regular Jenga is like performing delicate surgery, this extra large version from a different company is like performing a dangerous game of minesweeper.—
Parker Hall,
Wired News,
21 June 2025
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Birthday party etiquette can be a delicate balance.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
21 June 2025
Adjective
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Known for his dexterous falsetto and charisma as a performer, Christie made his name as a teen idol in the age of Frankie Valli, Frankie Avalon and Paul Anka.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
20 June 2025
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The gloves themselves are low-profile and dexterous.—
Drew Zieff,
Outside Online,
11 June 2025
Adjective
-
Do the expert speakers have seats and water at their disposal? Are the speaking notes or teleprompters in place?—
Adrian Dearnell,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
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Wing will share practical tools and give expert insight on keeping families safe from online predators, cyber-bullying, digital threats and more.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
Even the cleverest plans leave room for a little improvisation.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
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This clever deck box works overtime as a bench for additional seating.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
21 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deft. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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