How to Use deft in a Sentence

deft

adjective
Definition of deftnext
Synonyms for deftnext
  • The photographer is known for her deft use of lighting.
  • As a whole, the EP’s lyrics have a deft understanding of the inner turmoil of contemporary life.
    — Britt Julious, chicagotribune.com, 19 Feb. 2021
  • Yet to ice the game, to send the up-and-coming Browns home, Henne needed to earn his keep with a deft impersonation of Mahomes.
    — Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2021
  • Instead, Bart and Jim operate with the deft comic mastery of Bugs Bunny.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 22 Feb. 2021
  • Well known for his deft hand at workwear and cutting a sharp silhouette on a jacket, Altuzarra would no doubt have Harris looking smart on the big day.
    — Kerry Pieri, Harper's BAZAAR, 14 Jan. 2021
  • At work, he was known for a deft ability to place an IV and for his easygoing nature, which earned him many friends throughout decades in the profession.
    — New York Times, 15 Jan. 2021
  • The deft choice spoke of a new administration with an insightful understanding of art’s potential power.
    — Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2021
  • The danger Mulvaney cited is one that could eventually bite even a deft politician like McCarthy, Madrid said.
    — Joe Garofoli, SFChronicle.com, 7 Jan. 2021
  • Finally, these are two of the best retailers in the business and each has maneuvered through the pandemic with deft moves and aplomb that other retailing operations could have much to learn from.
    — Warren Shoulberg, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2021
  • The food, of course, has always been a major draw, not only those pancakes but also the staff's deft approach to eggs, a hollandaise sauce for the ages, sublime hash browns and textbook-worthy waffles, all at affordable prices.
    — Rick Nelson, Star Tribune, 8 Jan. 2021
  • 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
  • Pulisic set up Weah for a deft finish in the 36th minute against the Welsh.
    — John Powers, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Nov. 2022
  • The cat made a deft U-turn, scampered out of the trap, and vanished.
    — Jonathan Franzen, The New Yorker, 25 Dec. 2023
  • With deft strokes of her needle and thread, Lowe brought out the best of her clients.
    — Shelcy Joseph, Essence, 21 Dec. 2023
  • Holiday was 4-for-20 and didn’t have a deft touch on his shots at the rim.
    — Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY, 15 July 2021
  • That’s not easy, and Williams guided the Suns through a long season with a deft touch.
    — Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2022
  • Born in the Bahamas, Ms. Salomon had a scathing sense of humor and a deft hand at the stove.
    — New York Times, 29 May 2021
  • The Heat’s big man is a deft passer, and Butler began working the open space of the lane.
    — Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 27 Apr. 2023
  • Much of it, in the first half, is funny, deft, and dotted with suspense.
    — Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2023
  • Few, if any, in the NBA are as deft in switches or one-on-one challenges.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 1 June 2022
  • Partly that lies in the quartet's deft approach to their work.
    — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 11 Aug. 2022
  • But Matild Palace’s calling card is a deft balance of past and present.
    — Alia Akkam, Robb Report, 20 July 2021
  • Texas rolled in the first set, overwhelming Kentucky with its size and deft skill around the net.
    — Nick Moyle, San Antonio Express-News, 24 Apr. 2021
  • Such has been the deft calculus of Mr. Putin’s friendship with Mr. Xi.
    — Suhasini Raj, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2022
  • The series is deft in capturing both the horrors and joys of high school.
    — Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2022
  • With a deft hand they can be turned sideways to cut a notch along sidewalks, patios and drives.
    — Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 20 Mar. 2023
  • Among young voters, Ko has a leg up thanks to his deft use of social media.
    — Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2023
  • The singer’s singer (Tony Bennett’s a fan!) is admired for her deft touch with lyrics and unfussy way with melody.
    — BostonGlobe.com, 26 May 2022
  • The defense collapsed, and Stefanovic got a deft pass off to a rolling Keita, who bobbled the ball and turned it over.
    — Josh Newman, The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 Nov. 2022
  • Linklater and his deft comedic actors keep things moving, with plenty of laughs and moments of painful recognition.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 19 Nov. 2024

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deft.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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