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
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
An explosive musician, deft guitar player, innately recognizes the genius in other people and puts it into play without being manipulative.
—
Gary Graff, Billboard, 10 Apr. 2025
Politics naturally plays a part and requires a deft approach and a certain diplomacy from a manager.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
His deft timing provides most laughs in the film, along with Garg’s keen awareness of how to hit a punchline (and later on, elicit tears).
—Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2025
The new athletic director will have to be a deft referee as Willard’s successor competes with football coach Mike Locksley and women’s basketball coach Brenda Frese for money to compensate players.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deft
Gary Graff, Billboard, 10 Apr. 2025
Politics naturally plays a part and requires a deft approach and a certain diplomacy from a manager.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
His deft timing provides most laughs in the film, along with Garg’s keen awareness of how to hit a punchline (and later on, elicit tears).
—Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2025
The new athletic director will have to be a deft referee as Willard’s successor competes with football coach Mike Locksley and women’s basketball coach Brenda Frese for money to compensate players.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deft
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deft
Adjective
-
Elegant materials, bespoke furnishings, skillful layering of textures, and eye-catching lighting are all hallmarks of Hogarty’s soulful spaces, and the firm seeks to create an emotional response with its polished yet comfortable aesthetic.—
Elizabeth Stamp,
Architectural Digest,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Hiring managers must learn to distinguish between misuse and skillful application to capture a candidate’s ability to tackle real-world challenges.—
Bing Yu Yap,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Wiggins, a skilled scorer, doesn’t fit what the Heat ideally needs: someone who can finish at the basket, draw fouls, get Miami into offense and take over games late.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2025
-
On Via Montenapoleone, the store’s façade features arched windows crafted by skilled Murano glassmaker Venini.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Though White occasionally fell short tying together all the threads — a few songs ambled deep into the weeds and nearly suffocated from their complexity — his masterful guitar techniques and kinetic vocals made the detours worthwhile.—
Bob Gendron,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Following a masterful opening round at Augusta National, round one leader Justin Rose came back to earth on Friday, allowing much of the field to move within striking distance heading to the weekend.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
With time, cunning, and no irony, the Shuberts slew the Syndicate Goliath and built a monopolistic empire of their own that Justice Department lawyers would decades later force into an antitrust settlement.—
Frank Rich,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2025
-
The mean girl, as we’ve been taught to recognize her, is cunning and charismatic.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Soft and delicate fragrances of spring flowers and mandarins.—
Tom Mullen,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Hoffman recalls of including the delicate destination nods.—
David Foxley,
Architectural Digest,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The integration came as the company recently unveiled Sanctuary AI’s cutting-edge tactile sensors and demonstrated progress in creating dexterous intelligence for autonomous labor.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Then there was her dexterous ability at playing two pianos at once.—
Gail Mitchell,
Billboard,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Additionally, nonprofits, my primary market, remained underserved in technology, ensuring a continuous need for expert guidance.—
Will Freeman,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
Art Weston, a Kentucky resident, went to Lake Livingston, Texas, to catch an alligator gar with the help of an expert guide and fisherman, Captain Kirk Kirkland.—
Ashley J. DiMella Fox News,
FOXNews.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The clever exploration of contrasts — marrying delicate fabrics, soft palettes, and masculine silhouettes — was the label’s unique formula for winning over fashion’s insiders, including powerhouse Moda Operandi.—
Angela Lei,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
-
The film follows 11-year-old Caroline (Johnson), a clever, sharp-eyed girl navigating a life of excitement and peril as a shoplifter with her mom Jocelyn (Williams).—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deft. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share