as in masterfully
in a skillful or expert manner
skillfully guided the powerboat around the obstacles
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Recent Examples of skillfully
Fischer skillfully braids the three stories together, situating them in an atmosphere of creative ferment and reckless churn.
—
Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Lamont has so far skillfully navigated the erratic, unilateral and sometimes vengeful policy pronouncements from Washington.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026
This 2026 reissue of the sneaker features a slim shape and a low profile—skillfully tapping into the current hype surrounding nostalgic slim sneakers.
—Katharina Fuchs, Glamour, 1 Feb. 2026
De Araújo lived through a similar trauma and skillfully maps the chasm between parents who want to protect their kid’s innocence and a girl who needs answers.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Upon our arrival to Wilderness Vumbura Plains, our guide, Kabo, skillfully navigates the Jeep between sandy hills and flooded grasslands, occasionally swerving to avoid tree trunks chewed down to their stumps by elephants.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
This example of the latter skillfully squeezes a comfortable home for two into a single shipping container.
—New Atlas, 11 Jan. 2026
Either way, these are films that skillfully utilize the holiday to explore the human need for connection.
—Kate Stroup, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Dec. 2025
In the annals of moronic behavior, driving forty minutes out of your way in the middle of the night in order to secretly and skillfully cut down everybody’s favorite tree does not come up.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Lamont has so far skillfully navigated the erratic, unilateral and sometimes vengeful policy pronouncements from Washington.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026
This 2026 reissue of the sneaker features a slim shape and a low profile—skillfully tapping into the current hype surrounding nostalgic slim sneakers.
—Katharina Fuchs, Glamour, 1 Feb. 2026
De Araújo lived through a similar trauma and skillfully maps the chasm between parents who want to protect their kid’s innocence and a girl who needs answers.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Upon our arrival to Wilderness Vumbura Plains, our guide, Kabo, skillfully navigates the Jeep between sandy hills and flooded grasslands, occasionally swerving to avoid tree trunks chewed down to their stumps by elephants.
—Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
This example of the latter skillfully squeezes a comfortable home for two into a single shipping container.
—New Atlas, 11 Jan. 2026
Either way, these are films that skillfully utilize the holiday to explore the human need for connection.
—Kate Stroup, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Dec. 2025
In the annals of moronic behavior, driving forty minutes out of your way in the middle of the night in order to secretly and skillfully cut down everybody’s favorite tree does not come up.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skillfully
Adverb
-
Chef Hamir Patel, a one-man show in the kitchen, masterfully pairs Indian cuisine with unexpected flavors including Mexican and Italian influences.—
USA TODAY NETWORK,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Director Tony Williams masterfully curates a mood of oppressive dread from the opening minutes through the bloody climax and explosive final frames, making this one of the very best Australian horror films of all time.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
The National Weather Service Sacramento expects cold overnight temperatures early Saturday as well.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado,
Sacbee.com,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The galaxies that are so familiar and ubiquitous in our Universe today will die, at least in a sense, as well.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Julia Fox certainly knows how to pull off an unforgettable look that is equal parts artfully avant-garde and daring.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
10 Feb. 2026
-
That signature more-is-more maximalism has been artfully incorporated into the historic British train.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
10 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Newsom has capably sensed what Democrats want right now, and is delivering it with a roguish charisma.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2026
-
While Harmon has capably knocked down her midrange jumper lately, shooting guard Jordan Lee is in the midst of slump.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Our show is expertly produced, as always by Chris McLeod of Blue Elevator Productions and our very own Josh Billinson.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Jeremy’s savory dishes are composed and confident; standouts have included a vibrant duck salad, delicate waloo crudo, mussels escabeche and expertly prepared American red snapper.—
USA TODAY NETWORK,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Though not for the faint-hearted, Michael was surprisingly sensitive in its execution, deftly sketching the banal details of the criminal’s otherwise normal, suburban life.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
16 Feb. 2026
-
But every time Trump takes to social media, angered by drug trafficking – or drone incursions, Sheinbaum Pardo has deftly reminded him of their working partnership, Jacobson said.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Part of the reason that Charli’s voice fits so neatly in what ought to be a radically new context is that her hooks always dominate the instrumentals.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Leveleve Balcony Furniture 5-Piece Patio Conversation Set For truly stretching out and relaxing, this five-piece set includes two chairs with extendable footrests for reclining—then the footrest tuck neatly underneath the chairs when not in use.—
Melanie Fincher,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skillfully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skillfully. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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