Synonyms of deft

deft

adjective

ˈdeft 

1

as in virtuoso

accomplished with trained ability

a luthier whose deft craftsmanship is prized by violinists the world over

Synonyms & Similar Words

• virtuoso
• skillful
• masterful
• delicate
• expert
• smooth
• artistic
• adroit
• artful
• dexterous
• masterly
• workmanlike
• dextrous
• practised
• bravura
• practiced
• adept
• creative
• ingenious
• clever
• facile
• cunning
• neat
• capable
• adequate
• fancy
• competent
• able

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• amateur
• crude
• artless
• amateurish
• clumsy
• rude
• unprofessional
• awkward
• ineffective
• unskillful
• ineffectual
• incompetent
• inept
• klutzy

2

as in dextrous

skillful with the hands

the deft jeweler quickly attached the diamond to its mount on the gold band

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dextrous
• skillful
• skilled
• cunning
• dexterous
• clever
• capable
• proficient
• graceful
• adept
• handy
• nimble
• competent
• agile
• masterful
• limber
• able
• masterly
• expert
• coordinated
• lissom
• spry
• lithe
• flexible
• qualified
• lithesome
• lissome
• sure-handed
• habile
• loose-jointed
• double-jointed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• heavy-handed
• wooden
• clumsy
• unhandy
• handless
• uneasy
• awkward
• stiff
• uncomfortable
• ungainly
• stilted
• fumbling
• ungraceful
• gawky
• gauche
• graceless
• ham-fisted
• klutzy
• ham-handed
• rough-hewn
• incapable
• uncoordinated
• butterfingered
• incompetent
• inept
• bungling
• inexpert
• maladroit

Synonym Chooser

How is the word deft different from other adjectives like it?

The words adroit and dexterous are common synonyms of deft. While all three words mean "ready and skilled in physical movement," deft emphasizes lightness, neatness, and sureness of touch or handling.

a surgeon's deft manipulation of the scalpel

When is it sensible to use adroit instead of deft?

The words adroit and deft are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, adroit implies dexterity but usually also stresses resourcefulness or artfulness or inventiveness.

the magician's adroit response to the failure of her prop won applause

In what contexts can dexterous take the place of deft?

In some situations, the words dexterous and deft are roughly equivalent. However, dexterous implies expertness with consequent facility and quickness in manipulation.

unrolled the sleeping bag with a dexterous toss

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of deft

Hawke is splendid in the role, which makes deft use of his chatterbox charisma, the very same that can come off as annoying yet attractive in films like Reality Bites and the Before trilogy, or menacing in something like Black Phone. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025

His deputies and outriders are not quite so deft. —Sam Knight, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025

Above all, Kirk’s willingness to court controversy continued to be both strategically deft and lucrative. —Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025

And Campillo continues to stand apart — his meticulous construction and deft blend of fabrics feel light and refreshingly new. —Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 17 Sep. 2025