DEFT Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

deft

adjective

ˈdeft

Definition of deft next

as in virtuoso

accomplished with trained ability a luthier whose deft craftsmanship is prized by violinists the world over

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in dextrous

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of deft The streaky scoring winger managed to open the scoring with a deft net-front deflection off of a Conor Garland shot on the power play. —

Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 23 Nov. 2024 In the 1938 classic The Adventures of Robin Hood, Robin Hood is a happy iconoclast, meting out his form of social and political justice with the cheerful irreverence and deft strokes of Errol Flynn, cinema’s premier swashbuckler. —

Scott Tobias, Vulture, 20 Nov. 2024 His successor, George H. W. Bush, managed the breakup of the Soviet Union and the collapse of the Warsaw Pact with deft diplomacy. —

Dan Caldwell, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2024 His easygoing exterior belied a deft improvisatory mind that could take the temperature of the room, the guest, and the viewer all at once, course-correcting with breathtaking speed. —

Isaac Butler, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for deft

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deft

Adjective

There are dozens of really skillful clergy and educators in this country who are doing this all the time, and it can be done.

Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 26 Nov. 2024
As Bears coach, Ditka was confident enough in his position to accept the involvement of the irascible, disrespectful but skillful defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan as necessary to the team’s Super Bowl success.

Michael Peregrine, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024