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
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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That compromise seemed either an example of the military’s skillful navigation of a polarizing topic—the naming of military posts and ships—or trolling.—
Anna Mulrine Grobe,
Christian Science Monitor,
13 June 2025
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Love, the film suggests, has always been a strategic, material affair, a matter of skillful hunting and gathering.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
Adjective
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These eagles are skilled soarers, often riding thermal updrafts to reach extreme heights.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
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The skilled crafts that underpin entertainment are also at risk of being lost, says David Offenberg, an entertainment finance professor at Loyola Marymount University.—
Ali Martin,
Christian Science Monitor,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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Under a masterful ride from jockey Frankie Dettori, Raging Torrent simply ran them off their feet and rolled home two and a half lengths to the good.—
Danny Brewer,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
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Latour was masterful in the pitching circle, twirling a complete-game shutout while scattering four hits and striking out eight in a 4-0 win for D-R. Latour came through at the plate, too, notching two hits and an RBI.—
Greg Dudek,
Boston Herald,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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Particularly cunning or politically convenient women have infrequently maneuvered into the halls of power, but these female monarchs have served mostly as short detours during times when a male crown prince was either too young or too weak to stand on his own.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
8 June 2025
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Anderson stands the original on its head: grooming Liesl as a successor, Zsa-zsa introduces her to a world where cunning and force hold sway.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
29 May 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
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Both leaders trusted their instincts, dismissing expert consensus even as the evidence — and human consequences — contradicted them.—
Robert Pearl,
Twin Cities,
14 June 2025
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While Bruce impressed on his Major League debut with his expert bat retrieval skills, the Nationals couldn’t get the job done against the Marlins.—
Thomas Schlachter,
CNN Money,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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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 26 Jun. 2025.
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