deft

adjective

ˈdeft How to pronounce deft (audio)
Definition of deftnext
1
as in virtuoso
accomplished with trained ability a luthier whose deft craftsmanship is prized by violinists the world over

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

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

Example 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 If Trump and his team can practice it, flexible diplomacy—the deft management of constant tensions and rolling conflicts—could pay big dividends. — Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025 McPherson has a deft touch with the material, lightly capturing the fierce idealism of Doctor Astrov’s (a riveting John Benjamin Hickey) battle to save the forests and the woozy intoxication of Sonya’s (Melanie Field) crush. — Karen D'souza, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2025 As a striker, Delap is a throwback to yesteryear, but with a deft touch. — Dan Sheldon, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025 The end result was a deft 2008 satirizing of Hollywood's dearth of Black lead roles. — Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deft
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deft
  1. skillful
  2. skilled
  3. masterful
  4. cunning
  5. delicate
  6. dexterous
  7. expert
  8. clever
Adjective
  • This skillful painting by Sophie Zhou, a junior at The Kincaid School, was sold for a record $276,000 at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's school art competition auction.
    — Shafaq Patel, Axios, 19 Mar. 2025
  • This hints that, yes, skillful storytellers may actually live longer.
    — Ron Shachar, Scientific American, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of skillful
Adjective
  • The loss of this skilled support would place a greater burden on active-duty soldiers, who are not trained for many of these back-end roles.
    — Solange Charas, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Hurley said postgame that Florida’s roster construction — especially the Gators’ skilled two-way bigs and glut of perimeter threats — reminded him of his own rosters, at least for most of the past three seasons.
    — Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of skilled
Adjective
  • That said, a deck of cards in the hands of a masterful street magician is still really awesome, too.
    — Tony Bradley, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
  • That battle, readers of Othello might remember, plays a significant role in the play’s unfolding tragedy and Iago's masterful plan.
    — Dave Quinn, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of masterful
Adjective
  • Every actor is absolutely perfect in this super-efficient romp, from Cleese’s perfect straight man amidst the chaos, to Curtis’ seductive, cunning femme fatale, to Palin’s stammering, animal-loving hitman whose assassination attempts go disastrously wrong.
    — Travis Bean, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Their infatuations are challenged by a cunning philosopher who persuades the bros to pretend they’ve been suddenly drafted and to return later in disguise to woo each other’s fiancée.
    — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of cunning
Adjective
  • This is a lovely Champagne with appealing aromas of pear, passion fruit and a delicate hint of yeast.
    — Tom Hyland, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The scripts of the new series are laugh-out-loud funny, managing a delicate balance of raucous, lewd and sweet humor.
    — Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of delicate
Adjective
  • The album’s ever-present pedal-steel guitar comes courtesy of J.R. Bohannon, whose dexterous playing throughout Send a Prayer My Way recalls Lloyd Green’s and JayDee Maness’ invaluable contributions to the Byrds’ beloved Sweetheart of the Rodeo.
    — Abigail Covington, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Then there was her dexterous ability at playing two pianos at once.
    — Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 20 Feb. 2025
Definition of dexterous
Adjective
  • Several legendary fictional detectives have been expert game players and puzzle solvers.
    — Sarah Larson, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Today, an internet connection opens up a world of free and affordable learning—from YouTube channels dedicated to sharing expert knowledge to podcasts and digital libraries packed with nonfiction titles ready to download to a Kindle or other e-reader.
    — David Nikel, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Definition of expert
Adjective
  • The cut and fit of these is almost bespoke, and very clever.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2025
  • This rapid cycle reduces costs, and allows clever businesses to be the first to market trends and consumer feedback updates.
    — Haokun Qin, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of clever

Browse Nearby Words

defrosted
deft
deftly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deft. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on deft

Nglish: Translation of deft for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All