Synonyms of deftly

deftly

adverb

as in masterfully

in a skillful or expert manner

the company spokesperson deftly sidestepped the investigative reporter's questions

Synonyms & Similar Words

• masterfully
• skillfully
• well
• artfully
• neatly
• adroitly
• expertly
• capably
• ably
• competently
• proficiently
• easily
• adeptly
• masterly
• consummately
• aptly
• cleverly
• dexterously
• fluently
• facilely
• cleanly
• nimbly
• handily

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• poorly
• ineptly
• inexpertly
• inefficiently
• unskillfully
• incompetently
• amateurishly
• artlessly
• clumsily
• inaptly
• crudely
• awkwardly
• incapably

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of deftly

The motion goes on to deftly undercut one of the AGs’ main talking points. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 17 Aug. 2026

The view changes as the ship’s pilots deftly navigate worlds — or at least try to — like the metropolis of Coruscant and the deserts of Tatooine. — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026

After another two minutes of dangerous Machado Garry strikes, Makhachev deftly tripped the challenger and quickly scrambled to take Machado Garry’s back, where Makhachev stayed stapled until the horn sounded and Silva’s record was rewritten. — Mark Puleo, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Will Howard, a sixth-round pick last year, guided the Steelers to a touchdown while deftly operating the 2-minute offense. — CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

The warring impulses ought to cancel each other out, but Dante orchestrates his films’ elements so deftly that the contradictions enrich each other and create a worldview more distinctive and complex than those of Lucas and Spielberg. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2026

Neither pets nor crude products of an economy, Sanguinetti deftly places cattle, dogs and cats alongside people and land. — Manahil Tahira, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026

Heavy-duty independent steering on both axles allows the vehicle to maneuver deftly through dense city centers. — New Atlas, 4 Aug. 2026

There are also some solid jokes that get at kitchen life, and Tony’s specific interests, and the story deftly captures his lifelong pursuit of the approval and protection of strong women. — Laurie Woolever, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026