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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deft
Johnson and his Perkins&Will colleagues adopt this approach as a guide and use a deft touch that does not do too much.
—
Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2025
They’ve been ensnared by his arching curveball and deft precision for the better part of two decades.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Aug. 2025
Nini makes no such communicative or deft movements.
—Tao Lin, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
The company’s deft choreography of solos and ensemble passages allows the performers, each representing a different tribal tradition (Navajo, Cree, Pueblo, Seneca, and Lakota), to stand as both distinct and part of a harmonious whole.
—Shauna Lyon, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deft
Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2025
They’ve been ensnared by his arching curveball and deft precision for the better part of two decades.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Aug. 2025
Nini makes no such communicative or deft movements.
—Tao Lin, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
The company’s deft choreography of solos and ensemble passages allows the performers, each representing a different tribal tradition (Navajo, Cree, Pueblo, Seneca, and Lakota), to stand as both distinct and part of a harmonious whole.
—Shauna Lyon, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deft
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deft
Adjective
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Kirk Baxter’s arrhythmic cutting is designed around quicksilver shifts that, along with Barry Ackroyd’s restlessly attentive, mostly handheld camerawork, allow Bigelow to redirect our attention with virtuoso command.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The more success rolled, the more damage done, the more skillful the hack and so on.—
Rob Wieland,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Powell, skillful at opaque Fed-speak, nonetheless signaled a simulative change is likely.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Set in 1819 Hispaniola, just prior to the Dominican Republic’s push for independence, the drama centers on an unexpected trio – a young Spanish noble, a skilled Chinese silk artisan and a Haitian soldier who’s abandoned his post.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
8 Sep. 2025
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Rather, the bots are skilled at mimicking human reactions to stressful situations, responding to users in ways that often reflect racist and sexist biases.—
Patricia Marx,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Red Bull secured its first win under the new leadership of Laurent Mekies at the Italian Grand Prix, thanks to a masterful drive from Max Verstappen.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
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Understated early works such as One Man Up and the masterful Consequences of Love focus on people struggling with static lives and longing to be elsewhere.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Bening will costar on the series as Beulah Jackson, who's described as the powerful, cunning, and charming head of a major ranch in Texas.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
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Joan Silber is a contemporary genius at creating artful stories of a multitude of characters who ricochet in cunning ways, crossing generations and continents.—
Jane Ciabattari
September 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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At breakfast, expect Okinawan-style waffles with sweet red beans, Vietnamese pho, and delicate local tofu.—
Kaila Yu,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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The rising sun turned the snow a delicate pink, and beads of frost glittered like diamonds on the trees.—
Jack Atcheson Sr. as told to Michael Hanback,
Outdoor Life,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The robot is hydraulically powered, capable of lifting up to 441 pounds (200 kg) across both arms, and features dexterous manipulators for precise handling of tools and materials.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Sep. 2025
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Cleaning looked mundane compared with dexterous manipulation.—
Ashis Ghosh,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Our expert reviews of JBL headphones consistently praises the brand for balancing strong sound with everyday value, and this pair fits right into that category.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
11 Sep. 2025
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Subscribe to the Life Kit newsletter for expert advice on love, money, relationships and more.—
September 11,
NPR,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deft. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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