as in masterfully
in a skillful or expert manner
the company spokesperson deftly sidestepped the investigative reporter's questions
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Recent Examples of deftly
Twenty years ago, Swift broke through as a rising Nashville star, before quickly, and deftly, pulling off the ultimate crossover pivot en route to becoming the biggest pop star on the planet.
—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
29 June 2026
Aouar turns, sliding the ball through to Mahrez, who deftly finished past goalkeeper Alexander Schlager.
—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
28 June 2026
Jessica Chastain is aces as the CIA analyst devoting every waking moment to his capture, and director Kathryn Bigelow deftly depicts the cost of war and single-minded obsession.
—
Kevin P. Sullivan,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 June 2026
Holmes deftly paired the above red hue with a denim maxi skirt and white T-shirt, while Aniston took a sportier approach, styling the khaki green version with leggings and a tank top.
—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
26 June 2026
Drawing upon the fine dining experience of both Chef Gabon and partner Celine Wuu (who deftly manages the floor), Naides serves an original interpretation of Filipino cuisine in the form of a stylishly modern tasting menu.
—
Linda Zavoral,
Mercury News,
25 June 2026
Both were able to deftly differentiate between information released before the latest patch and information released afterward, even when articles didn’t explicitly mention which game version they were based on.
—
Ruben Circelli,
PC Magazine,
22 June 2026
Similarly, John Portman’s Entelechy II in Georgia and Ray Kappe’s home in Los Angeles deftly manipulate space and perspective, employing bold geometries and gravity-defying cantilevers to connect airy interiors to the landscape.
—
Mark David,
Robb Report,
18 June 2026
Tracing the life of a young Haitian man with a gift for the sport, Léger deftly unpacks fame, ambition, and resistance.
—
Caroline Reilly,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
29 June 2026
Aouar turns, sliding the ball through to Mahrez, who deftly finished past goalkeeper Alexander Schlager.
—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
28 June 2026
Jessica Chastain is aces as the CIA analyst devoting every waking moment to his capture, and director Kathryn Bigelow deftly depicts the cost of war and single-minded obsession.
—
Kevin P. Sullivan,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 June 2026
Holmes deftly paired the above red hue with a denim maxi skirt and white T-shirt, while Aniston took a sportier approach, styling the khaki green version with leggings and a tank top.
—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
26 June 2026
Drawing upon the fine dining experience of both Chef Gabon and partner Celine Wuu (who deftly manages the floor), Naides serves an original interpretation of Filipino cuisine in the form of a stylishly modern tasting menu.
—
Linda Zavoral,
Mercury News,
25 June 2026
Both were able to deftly differentiate between information released before the latest patch and information released afterward, even when articles didn’t explicitly mention which game version they were based on.
—
Ruben Circelli,
PC Magazine,
22 June 2026
Similarly, John Portman’s Entelechy II in Georgia and Ray Kappe’s home in Los Angeles deftly manipulate space and perspective, employing bold geometries and gravity-defying cantilevers to connect airy interiors to the landscape.
—
Mark David,
Robb Report,
18 June 2026
Tracing the life of a young Haitian man with a gift for the sport, Léger deftly unpacks fame, ambition, and resistance.
—
Caroline Reilly,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deftly
Adverb
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While traditional tailoring and minimalist silhouettes dominated the red carpet, prospects masterfully personalized their looks.
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Son moved fast, especially up the left wing, and arced balls masterfully into the corners of the net.
Adverb
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In one of prettiest team goals of this tournament, Ayase Ueda skillfully found Ritsu Doan, who threaded it to Maeda.
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The staff knows the menu and wine list back to front, and buzz around the dining room quickly and skillfully.
Adverb
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Counties weren’t named for them until well after their deaths.
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But its usefulness extends well beyond northern Italian cuisine.
Adverb
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The result is a bed that looks tidy and composed rather than slept-in—artfully arranged, and frankly, a little pleased with its own posture.
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The new owner, Jasen Mark, snapped it up four years ago, then spent $8 million to turn a rundown resort into a new five-star property that artfully straddles modern amenities and a nostalgic embrace of simpler times.
Adverb
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The country's spring lines up neatly with the American fall, and both islands come alive with wildflowers and blossoms as temperatures climb through November, all before the summer crowds arrive.
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The hallmarks of cobalt poisoning fit the woman’s array of symptoms neatly.
Adverb
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Rams architects Les Snead and Sean McVay can still adroitly motivate a player without pressing too hard.
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Shrines, Puzzles, and a Sprawling World The Adventures of Elliot adroitly fuses sharp combat with intricate puzzle-solving, further cementing the Zelda feel.
Adverb
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Van de Ven expertly went for the ball, and no foul was called even though Hakimi took a tumble.
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Mexico City, a global gastronomic mecca, expertly blends vibrant street food with pioneering fine dining.
Adverb
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Meanwhile, a flashback, set vaguely in the Before Times, presents a girl playing with the ragdoll Jessie, a cowgirl and aspirant sheriff, voiced enthusiastically and most capably by Joan Cusack.
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Backed by tens of thousands of raucous fans in the Los Angeles area, Bosnia capably hung with Switzerland into the second half — until the hydration break led to a moment of brilliance from Manzambi, a 20-year-old Geneva native who plays for German club Freiburg.
Cite this Entry
“Deftly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deftly. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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