as in masterfully
in a skillful or expert manner
the sushi chef artfully filleted the salmon
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Recent Examples of artfully
As Puerto Rico’s hometown hero Bad Bunny artfully observed in his recent Super Bowl performance, the island’s grid is in tatters, and has been for years.
—
Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Although the bowls are often artfully arranged, this version is casual, with steamed vegetables added atop the rice in a higgledy-piggledy array.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 16 Mar. 2026
The interior spaces artfully play with old and new—Jacobean florals and damask textiles juxtapose nicely with custom wood furniture and bespoke BDDW ceramics (a favorite of Gwyneth Paltrow’s) in the form of lamps, room key fobs, and toilet paper holders, of all things.
—Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Mar. 2026
Breaking the Waves, von Trier’s beautiful and artfully punishing 1996 melodrama, elevated Skarsgård’s image in America from side character to formidable screen presence.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
In the end, people will always crave new, artfully told stories.
—Holly Willis, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026
Penelope Cruz has embraced the artfully overgrown bang for years and this Chanel-ready styling — replete with bouffant and black ribbon — relies on the fringe for its flirty finish.
—Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 11 Mar. 2026
In a beautiful, inventive design by Jon Carloftis, robust pyramidal forms are artfully softened by grassy perennials, resulting in an unexpected and striking foundation planting.
—Lauren Dunec Hoang, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Mar. 2026
Piled on or artfully peeled away.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026
Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Although the bowls are often artfully arranged, this version is casual, with steamed vegetables added atop the rice in a higgledy-piggledy array.
—Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 16 Mar. 2026
The interior spaces artfully play with old and new—Jacobean florals and damask textiles juxtapose nicely with custom wood furniture and bespoke BDDW ceramics (a favorite of Gwyneth Paltrow’s) in the form of lamps, room key fobs, and toilet paper holders, of all things.
—Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Mar. 2026
Breaking the Waves, von Trier’s beautiful and artfully punishing 1996 melodrama, elevated Skarsgård’s image in America from side character to formidable screen presence.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
In the end, people will always crave new, artfully told stories.
—Holly Willis, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026
Penelope Cruz has embraced the artfully overgrown bang for years and this Chanel-ready styling — replete with bouffant and black ribbon — relies on the fringe for its flirty finish.
—Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 11 Mar. 2026
In a beautiful, inventive design by Jon Carloftis, robust pyramidal forms are artfully softened by grassy perennials, resulting in an unexpected and striking foundation planting.
—Lauren Dunec Hoang, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Mar. 2026
Piled on or artfully peeled away.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for artfully
Adverb
-
Before things unraveled, Latz pitched masterfully, and the Rangers swatted a pair of home runs in regulation to even the season’s first series and win 5-4 on a chilly afternoon.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Jeffries then masterfully wrapped Copeland’s hair into what was meant to appear like an infinite knot.—
Tori Crowther,
Allure,
16 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Gorton skillfully depicts the grueling decades-long struggle of Sanger (the icon, in this telling) and Dennett (the idealist) to make birth control available and legal, as well as their interpersonal competition for power and influence.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Adriana Lambarri’s costumes skillfully replicate the actor’s garb in the film while composer/sound designer Jazer Sibley-Schwartz channels at the outset a knowing nod to John Williams’ indelible, two-note cadence of menacing notes announcing the shark’s arrival.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
10 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The United States does not produce enough of it to meet demand, so the US is importing it as well.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Scorpio October 23 – November 21 Certain truths are best expressed in metaphor or art at present.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Unlike regular plugs that go over the drain, TubShroom and ShowerShroom fit inside, neatly collecting hair around it.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Griffin cuts a particularly interesting figure at the moment because his beliefs don’t match up neatly with either party—starting with free trade.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Now the pair are filling the former Slab space with trout that swims in chive beurre blanc; burgers crowned with a range of French cheeses; and expertly made baguettes that receive smears of butter d’Isigny.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The chaos is still an acceptable price to pay for Birney’s expertly offputting performance, a shrill mania that gets increasingly comic over time.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
Adverb
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As my colleague Sam McDowell deftly summed up last week, Royals outfielders combined in 2025 to finish last in on-base percentage, 29th in OPS (on-base plus slugging), 29th in home runs and 30th in runs.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
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The International Festival of Arts & Ideas, the annual event that deftly bridges the gap between when all the college students in and around New Haven leave the city in May and when the summer starts a few weeks later in June, has not yet announced its full 2026 schedule.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
29 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Apple's iMac is the pre-eminent all-in-one on the market, a stylish and slick computer that's designed for creative work but capably handles entertainment and productivity as well.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The Broncos are high on rising third-year tackle Frank Crum, who filled in capably in spot snaps in 2025 when McGlinchey was temporarily banged up.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Artfully.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/artfully. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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