1
as in cunning
skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means
with well-practiced artfulness, he convinced his mother he was sick enough to stay home from school but not sick enough for a visit to the doctor's office
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in skill
subtle or imaginative ability in inventing, devising, or executing something
building a ship model requires a painstaking artfulness I don't have
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of artfulness
Mike Bowman, designer, furniture industry expert, and director of marketing for Harmonia Living, says this trend relies on furnishings to bring artfulness to a space—rather than just functionality.
—
Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
There is a real seriousness to the score — the scheming bad-guy music has the artfulness of Prokofiev, and even the sneaking-around cues have musical integrity and structure.
—Tim Greiving, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
All things considered, each of the couple’s selections exudes artfulness — prioritizing top-quality design and materials meant to last a lifetime.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
There is a real seriousness to the score — the scheming bad-guy music has the artfulness of Prokofiev, and even the sneaking-around cues have musical integrity and structure.
—Tim Greiving, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
All things considered, each of the couple’s selections exudes artfulness — prioritizing top-quality design and materials meant to last a lifetime.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for artfulness
Noun
-
The Brazil international combines technical craft with a decisive cunning.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
-
But Muck is no Epstein, malevolent and cunning.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Sure, the equipment is better, the skill level higher, the compensation astronomical.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
26 Mar. 2026
-
What looks at first like a cooking class, is actually a doctor's appointment designed to help children and families build real-life skills around food and health.—
Breana Pitts,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Somewhere, for me, showed the everyday reality of being a celebrity with great subtlety.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
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The track’s many subtleties also come through well.—
Mark Knapp,
PC Magazine,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Like the tricksters of myth, there’s depth to their slyness.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Ay, the superb slyness of that last response!—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Artfulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/artfulness. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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