as in masterfully
in a skillful or expert manner
the company spokesperson deftly sidestepped the investigative reporter's questions
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Recent Examples of deftly
The idea to create these pieces, which deftly straddle the world of art and fashion, came from a sketch that founder Erin Saluti made more than a decade ago—her dream purse, made from a block of wood.
—
Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2026
Gray served in a variety of consequential positions over the years and wielded influence deftly to the benefit of the community, said Dick Batchelor, who represented Central Florida in the Legislature from 1974 to 1982 and regarded Gray as a sage confidant.
—Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
In Cafe Floretta, Pierangelini deftly transforms autumn vegetables into delicate, flavorful dishes like artichokes alla Romana and cauliflower steak topped with a perfectly balanced caper hollandaise.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
O’Neill will need to make a mark with her own strategy while deftly managing these stakeholders, who aren’t afraid to criticize current management in public.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
The 1988 Cy Young award winner deftly explained what made Ohtani’s new curve so unhittable, even going as far as pantomiming the throwing motion and grip to more effectively illustrate his point.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026
Romvari deftly synthesizes that kind of quotidian flow, days bleeding into one another as something significant foments at the margins of the everyday.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
In her fiction and essays, Elaine Castillo deftly translates worlds into words and words into worlds.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
And the state has failed to implement those regulations in a way that allows insurers to deftly adjust their underwriting and pricing to reflect risk from a changing climate.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2026
Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2026
Gray served in a variety of consequential positions over the years and wielded influence deftly to the benefit of the community, said Dick Batchelor, who represented Central Florida in the Legislature from 1974 to 1982 and regarded Gray as a sage confidant.
—Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
In Cafe Floretta, Pierangelini deftly transforms autumn vegetables into delicate, flavorful dishes like artichokes alla Romana and cauliflower steak topped with a perfectly balanced caper hollandaise.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
O’Neill will need to make a mark with her own strategy while deftly managing these stakeholders, who aren’t afraid to criticize current management in public.
—Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026
The 1988 Cy Young award winner deftly explained what made Ohtani’s new curve so unhittable, even going as far as pantomiming the throwing motion and grip to more effectively illustrate his point.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026
Romvari deftly synthesizes that kind of quotidian flow, days bleeding into one another as something significant foments at the margins of the everyday.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
In her fiction and essays, Elaine Castillo deftly translates worlds into words and words into worlds.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
And the state has failed to implement those regulations in a way that allows insurers to deftly adjust their underwriting and pricing to reflect risk from a changing climate.
—Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deftly
Adverb
-
This layer cake masterfully balances salty and sweet.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
1 May 2026
-
The Doll Factory masterfully transforms the excellent best-selling novel into a gripping and darkly beautiful series.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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Athletic departments that skillfully use data will be able to bridge some, but not all, of the financial gap separating them from opponents, Sabin said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Flashbacks are deployed as more than mere framing devices, since the past plays an active, exciting role in the town’s present, and there’s an extended drug trip that skillfully manipulates lapsed time through recurring blackouts to keep you on the edge of your seat.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
29 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Plane tickets are getting pricier After jumping to $209 a barrel in early April, the global price of jet fuel eased last week to around $179, still well above the roughly $99 at the end of February.—
Mae Anderson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
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At this year's event, held at Pura Padel, Holland participated with other BERO higher-ups in a friendly tournament of padel, a racquet sport that's probably best described as a combination of squash and tennis.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
Adverb
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Although lemons make a beautiful kitchen centerpiece stacked artfully in a bowl, that’s not always the best place to put them.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Tradition and the present are artfully combined here.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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Minoungou finished neatly beyond Switchbacks keeper Christian Herrera to take a 2-1 lead.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The tools all fold neatly into a plastic container, making storage a breeze.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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Jenny Connell Davis’ adroitly constructed one-act play weaves together significant challenges for four women across seven decades.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Leo’s visit, in December, to Lebanon, which is home to one of the world’s oldest Christian communities, dating back to the time of the apostles Peter and Paul, now looks adroitly timed.—
Paul Elie,
New Yorker,
4 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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Through the band members’ stories, Méndez guides readers expertly through a historical landscape that may be unfamiliar to them and examines thought-provoking ideas about art and protest.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
-
Carlsson and Terry transported the puck expertly through the neutral zone, opening up the entire right wing for Kreider.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
1 May 2026
Adverb
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Both boys testified that Jackson had masturbated in front of them and molested Gavin on several occasions, but Jackson’s defense capably pointed out various inconsistencies in their stories and presented impeaching witnesses.—
Amelia McDonell-Parry,
Rolling Stone,
22 Apr. 2026
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After all, those are spots capably filled by, in order, Justin Herbert, Cameron Dicker, JK Scott and Josh Harris.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deftly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deftly. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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