Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

deftness

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of deftness

1 ease and grace in physical activity
  • the effortless deftness with which he plays the piano
Synonyms of deftness

agility, dexterity, nimbleness, sleight, spryness
Words Related to deftness

coordination

flexibility, gracefulness, limberness, litheness, loose-jointedness, suppleness

handiness, sure-handedness

sure-footedness

adeptness, adroitness, finesse, prowess
Near Antonyms of deftness

disability, inability, incapability, incapacity

debilitation, disablement, impairment, incapacitation

unhandiness
Antonyms of deftness

awkwardness, clumsiness, gaucheness, gawkiness, gawkishness, gracelessness, ham-handedness, heavy-handedness, klutziness, ungainliness
2 subtle or imaginative ability in inventing, devising, or executing something
  • With deftness and aplomb she managed to keep the bickering relatives apart for the duration of the reception.
Synonyms of deftness

adeptness, adroitness, art, artfulness, artifice, artistry, cleverness, craft, cunning, masterfulness, skill, skillfulness
Words Related to deftness

dexterity, ease, finesse, handiness

experience, expertise, expertness, know-how, proficiency

creativity, ingenuity, inventiveness, knowledge, learning

aptitude, bent, flair, gift, knack, talent
Near Antonyms of deftness

awkwardness, clumsiness, klutziness

inability, inadequacy, inadequateness, incapability, incapacity, incompetence, ineffectiveness, ineffectuality, ineffectualness, inefficacy, inefficiency
Antonyms of deftness

artlessness, ineptitude, ineptness, maladroitness

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up deftness? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games