as in masterfully
in a skillful or expert manner
ably maneuvered the boat up to the dock
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ably
Sherri arose in 2022 after Shepherd ably filled in for Wendy Williams at the end of that show’s run.
—
Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 21 Feb. 2026
Marcus Smart, who didn’t take a shot in the first three quarters, ably stepped into an open corner three in the fourth for the first of his seven points down the stretch.
—Dan Woike, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2026
And Yokohama ably depicts a privileged young man who rightly views his good fortune as both blessing and curse.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Walker replaced Smith in the post and ably picked up the slack.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ably
Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 21 Feb. 2026
Marcus Smart, who didn’t take a shot in the first three quarters, ably stepped into an open corner three in the fourth for the first of his seven points down the stretch.
—Dan Woike, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2026
And Yokohama ably depicts a privileged young man who rightly views his good fortune as both blessing and curse.
—Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Walker replaced Smith in the post and ably picked up the slack.
—Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ably
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ably
Adverb
-
This layer cake masterfully balances salty and sweet.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
1 May 2026
-
The Doll Factory masterfully transforms the excellent best-selling novel into a gripping and darkly beautiful series.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Both machines can be configured with enough memory to capably run large language models locally, with less reliance on the cloud.—
Chris Welch,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
-
Both boys testified that Jackson had masturbated in front of them and molested Gavin on several occasions, but Jackson’s defense capably pointed out various inconsistencies in their stories and presented impeaching witnesses.—
Amelia McDonell-Parry,
Rolling Stone,
22 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Athletic departments that skillfully use data will be able to bridge some, but not all, of the financial gap separating them from opponents, Sabin said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Flashbacks are deployed as more than mere framing devices, since the past plays an active, exciting role in the town’s present, and there’s an extended drug trip that skillfully manipulates lapsed time through recurring blackouts to keep you on the edge of your seat.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
29 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
In light of federal immigration crackdowns, funding cuts and rollbacks to civil rights protections and oversight, how can California better serve vulnerable student populations, including those who are immigrants, are LGBTQ+ and have disabilities?—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
The tension was best presented throughout the third period, as Minnesota had 11 shots on goals to just one from Montreal.—
Theodore Tollefson,
Twin Cities,
8 May 2026
Adverb
-
On the table beside him sat the morning edition of the Orlando Sentinel, folded neatly the way only longtime newspaper readers fold a newspaper.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 May 2026
-
In the kitchen alone, there were hundreds of plates, cups, bowls, platters, glasses, pitchers, vases, and cutlery, impressively organized by type and boxed up in sets, with prices neatly marked on matching labels.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 May 2026
Adverb
-
Outlays old and new need to be justified and competently managed.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Outlays old and new need to be justified and competently managed.—
Bloomberg Opinion,
Twin Cities,
14 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Through the band members’ stories, Méndez guides readers expertly through a historical landscape that may be unfamiliar to them and examines thought-provoking ideas about art and protest.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
-
Carlsson and Terry transported the puck expertly through the neutral zone, opening up the entire right wing for Kreider.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
1 May 2026
Adverb
-
The idea to create these pieces, which deftly straddle the world of art and fashion, came from a sketch that founder Erin Saluti made more than a decade ago—her dream purse, made from a block of wood.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Gray served in a variety of consequential positions over the years and wielded influence deftly to the benefit of the community, said Dick Batchelor, who represented Central Florida in the Legislature from 1974 to 1982 and regarded Gray as a sage confidant.—
Stephen Hudak,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ably.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ably. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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