as in neatly
in a strikingly neat and trim manner
the smartly dressed scouts marched at the head of the Memorial Day parade
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of smartly
The Red Sox smartly signed him to an eight-year, $130 million extension through 2033 with a club option for 2034.
—
Jim Bowden, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
The Conjuring ends by teasing the Warrens’ most famous case, the Amityville Horror, but The Conjuring 2 smartly doesn’t focus on that.
—Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
With Meneo, the 29-year-old exemplifies and celebrates that duality that identifies the new generation of regional Mexican hitmakers who grew up amid the reggaetón explosion, and smartly adapted that swagger to propel their own Mexican movement.
—Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 29 Aug. 2025
Trump, smartly, has once again put a lot of Democrats and liberals on the losing side of an issue.
—Isaac Saul, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Officials should more effectively use the latest water-mapping tools to smartly stage water barricades, update evacuation routes, and rewrite playbooks for basements, transit and hospitals in flood plains.
—Matt Reardon, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
Now, clean code isn't the only thing that counts for success; how smartly systems are built to learn, change and grow is also essential.
—Manish Mittal, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
After the Raptors changed their mind about acquiring Tucker in the five-team Jimmy Butler trade with Golden State, Miami smartly pivoted and acquired Mitchell, who was a revelation at point guard and agreed to a two-year, $24 million deal this summer.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
Brenton Doyle drew a leadoff walk and smartly took third on Kyle Karros’ single.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2025
Jim Bowden, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
The Conjuring ends by teasing the Warrens’ most famous case, the Amityville Horror, but The Conjuring 2 smartly doesn’t focus on that.
—Emily Palmer Heller, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
With Meneo, the 29-year-old exemplifies and celebrates that duality that identifies the new generation of regional Mexican hitmakers who grew up amid the reggaetón explosion, and smartly adapted that swagger to propel their own Mexican movement.
—Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 29 Aug. 2025
Trump, smartly, has once again put a lot of Democrats and liberals on the losing side of an issue.
—Isaac Saul, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Officials should more effectively use the latest water-mapping tools to smartly stage water barricades, update evacuation routes, and rewrite playbooks for basements, transit and hospitals in flood plains.
—Matt Reardon, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
Now, clean code isn't the only thing that counts for success; how smartly systems are built to learn, change and grow is also essential.
—Manish Mittal, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
After the Raptors changed their mind about acquiring Tucker in the five-team Jimmy Butler trade with Golden State, Miami smartly pivoted and acquired Mitchell, who was a revelation at point guard and agreed to a two-year, $24 million deal this summer.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
Brenton Doyle drew a leadoff walk and smartly took third on Kyle Karros’ single.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smartly
Adverb
-
This little case keeps rings, necklaces, and earrings neatly tucked away, so nothing gets tangled—or worse, left behind.—
Kayla Kitts,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Despite the glossy subject matter, Winocour neatly sidesteps clichés, instead searching for quiet moments that give the story emotional resonance.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
5 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
That truth, that bitterness, ought to cut more sharply than the Super Bowl shellacking.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
-
This allowed the craft to maintain control and stability even when sharply tilted against the current.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Flip patties and cook 1 minute; carefully place 2 tablespoons of the cheese on each patty, cover with a transparent lid and cook until cheese is melted and patties are cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes more.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Crews are carefully scouring the landscape for any spot fires from that may occur.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smartly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smartly. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share