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.
  • But Matild Palace’s calling card is a deft balance of past and present.
    — Alia Akkam, Robb Report, 20 July 2021
  • 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
  • The outcome is a deft blend of cream colors, generous waves and circular patterns that seem to ebb, flow and come together for an open and inviting feel.
    — Roberta Naas, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
  • Meanwhile, through spin and deft scheduling, the White House staff protected the President and hoped for the best.
    — The Editors, The New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2024
  • Abbott, in a diabolical but deft move, vetoed a section of the budget that funds the Legislature.
    — Dallas News, 28 June 2021
  • The Spain striker controlled a cross with one deft touch and then sent a rising shot past goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic for his second goal of the tournament.
    — Mattias KarÉn, ajc, 28 June 2021
  • Rounding out this more refined Revolver is general manager Reynolds, who brings sommelier panache and the ability to touch tables with a deft hand.
    — Dallas News, 12 July 2021
  • Among them: Talented and funny actors, a capable director with a deft hand at comedy and fine atmospheric work in the areas of lighting, sound and scenic design.
    — Matthew J. Palm, orlandosentinel.com, 10 July 2021
  • 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
  • That’s not easy, and Williams guided the Suns through a long season with a deft touch.
    — Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2022
  • 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
  • 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
  • The war is no less a conflict than The Crusades, and is presented as a deft dark mix of mime and modern dance.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2022
  • These perks didn't diminish the Rover's deft off-road handling.
    — Martin Padgett Jr., Car and Driver, 2 Aug. 2023
  • But on the fifth hole Burns, 25, began to play with exceptional power and a deft touch on the greens.
    — Bill Pennington, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2021
  • Skis this wide, no matter how deft, are more suited for the best days of the year when the canyon is closed behind you and the snow keeps on coming.
    — Marc Peruzzi, Outside Online, 9 Jan. 2022
  • Leon turns out to be a deft teacher, and by chapter’s end, Gopnik has his license in hand.
    — Barbara Spindel, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 May 2023
  • The themes of family and connection are woven into the script with a deft touch.
    — Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Jan. 2023
  • To decide to be someone else, spin the wheel and see where scissors in the deft hands of a stylist would take me felt like the first step to clarity.
    — Melissa Magsaysay, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2022

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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