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Synonym Chooser

How is the word artful distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of artful are crafty, cunning, foxy, slick, sly, tricky, and wily. While all these words mean "attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means," artful implies indirectness in dealing and often connotes sophistication or cleverness.

elicited the information by artful questioning

When might crafty be a better fit than artful?

The meanings of crafty and artful largely overlap; however, crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of method.

a crafty lefthander

When could cunning be used to replace artful?

Although the words cunning and artful have much in common, cunning suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence in overreaching or circumventing.

the cunning fox avoided the trap

Where would foxy be a reasonable alternative to artful?

The words foxy and artful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, foxy implies a shrewd and wary craftiness usually involving devious dealing.

a foxy publicity man planting stories

In what contexts can slick take the place of artful?

The words slick and artful can be used in similar contexts, but slick emphasizes smoothness and guile.

slick operators selling time-sharing

When would sly be a good substitute for artful?

In some situations, the words sly and artful are roughly equivalent. However, sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods.

a sly corporate raider

When is it sensible to use tricky instead of artful?

While in some cases nearly identical to artful, tricky is more likely to suggest shiftiness and unreliability than skill in deception and maneuvering.

a tricky political operative

When can wily be used instead of artful?

While the synonyms wily and artful are close in meaning, wily implies skill and deception in maneuvering.

the wily fugitive escaped the posse

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 artful With its dizzying long takes and frantic pacing, The Studio quickly set itself apart as not just a mere riff on The Player but a slick and artful send-up — a continuation and expansion of Robert Altman’s ’90s industry satire. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 15 July 2025 In Untamed, that element is the show’s artful use of Yosemite. Judy Berman, Time, 17 July 2025 With an artful mix of vintage and new pieces, your home is thoughtfully designed while looking completely effortless. Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2025 Delicate piping and artful arches will take you back a century in time. Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for artful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for artful
Adjective
  • O’ahu, Maui, Kaua’i and the big island of Hawai’i were all joined by water but divided by greedy men, cunning chiefs and a cycle of endless combat.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Slated for release on July 17, 2026, The Odyssey is an adaptation of the epic poem from Homer, which tells the story of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, and his perilous journey home after the Trojan War, exploring themes of heroism, loyalty, cunning, and the struggle against divine will.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • Just don’t forget to grab a drink at Bar Bota, where inventive cocktails bear names like Tomato & Cheese, Hinoki & Shiitake, and Sakura & Calamansi.
    Christina Liao, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
  • Rango is a chameleon that stumbled into a town called Dirt, in an inventive riff on the western genre that plays equally to children and adults.
    Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 28 July 2025
Adjective
  • Make lunchtime fun again with the help of a cute and colorful bento box or a fun, interactive lunch box.
    Nora Colomer may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 30 July 2025
  • The moment in which Guy and Nan reunite at the courthouse and mirror each other on a staircase and over a railing, respectively, is reminiscent of their meet cute in Season 1.
    Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 30 July 2025
Adjective
  • That includes clever storage and organizers, which are currently up to 70 percent off this month.
    Rylee Johnston, People.com, 27 July 2025
  • This is not just a clever design feature but a strategic sustainability solution.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 26 July 2025
Adjective
  • The result is a skillful balance between dewy and glossy, blushy and gleamy.
    Annie Blackman, Allure, 18 July 2025
  • But despite those skillful trappings, the story soon feels ponderous.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Climate change continues to have a profound impact on the Great Lakes region, bringing more extreme weather, declining fish populations, and subtle but profound economic transformation.
    Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
  • The combination adds layers of flavor and a subtle edge, giving the salsa the same flavor profile as a spicy version without any burn.
    Gabi De la Rosa, Southern Living, 24 July 2025
Adjective
  • WorkLife With Adam Grant Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist, delves into workplaces that have incorporated innovative strategies to make every day more productive and actually fun.
    Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
  • Wayne Metro is helping a handful of residents, mostly in Wayne County, book their first trips, said Megan Wilk, Wayne Metro's director of innovative programs.
    Christina Hall, Freep.com, 26 July 2025
Adjective
  • According to Jacobo Lovo, managing artistic director of Latino Arts, the mural has welcomed thousands of UCC visitors every year.
    Kylie Volavongsa, jsonline.com, 26 July 2025
  • Before the show, Cincinnati Opera artistic director Evans Mirageas introduced the line-up for the company’s 2026 summer festival.
    David Lyman, The Enquirer, 25 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Artful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/artful. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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