1
as in virtuoso
accomplished with trained ability
a luthier whose deft craftsmanship is prized by violinists the world over
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deft
The White House benefits from the Kremlin’s deft baby-steps, insincere, inching towards peace.
—
Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
What saves it, aside from Aster’s willingness to get much darker and escalate into gruesome violence, is the movie’s deft depiction of Joe’s downward spiral, embodied with watery-eyed dedication by Phoenix.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 16 May 2025
Wirtz is focused more on the micro, with delicate touches and deft flicks, compared to Szoboszlai’s macro traits of energy and power.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 16 May 2025
While those discussions could be weighed down by politics, Macfarlane’s touch is deft, giving us exactly enough to consider the question while also showing us how this is not just about rivers but about us.
—Valorie Castellanos Clark, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deft
Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
What saves it, aside from Aster’s willingness to get much darker and escalate into gruesome violence, is the movie’s deft depiction of Joe’s downward spiral, embodied with watery-eyed dedication by Phoenix.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 16 May 2025
Wirtz is focused more on the micro, with delicate touches and deft flicks, compared to Szoboszlai’s macro traits of energy and power.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 16 May 2025
While those discussions could be weighed down by politics, Macfarlane’s touch is deft, giving us exactly enough to consider the question while also showing us how this is not just about rivers but about us.
—Valorie Castellanos Clark, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deft
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deft
Adjective
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These additional components underscore the importance of music, movement, libations, skillful presentation, and audience participation to masquerade more broadly.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
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Who lives and who dies depends on a slew of variable factors: Where they are tried, how skillful their attorneys are, the whims of prosecutors, quirks in the law, the dispositions of judges and jurors, and what victims want.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Deploying this type of technology at scale could not only help identify at-risk patients for proactive monitoring but also address the global need for medical professionals, with the U.S. alone requiring 122,000 skilled physicians by 2032.—
Max Votek,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
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The presence of someone skilled, experienced and committed to public service could strengthen the agency, at a time when the federal work force faces unprecedented strain.—
Kwame Anthony Appiah,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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Elie’s masterful survey is a group portrait of artists and their fellow travelers who participated during a bloody crossroads in American life, when Ronald Reagan’s ascension to the White House in 1980 collapsed the walls between church and state, sparking a counterrevolution across the arts.—
Marc Weingarten,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2025
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The series is being produced by Science Saru, which previously worked on anime series like Devilman Crybaby, Star Wars Visions, and Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, and it's been praised by fans and critics alike for its stunning production values, touching storytelling, and masterful animation.—
Oliver Brandt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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McLaren’s Piastri began in pole position and initially held off Verstappen before the Dutchman displayed all the brilliance, cunning and bravery that has propelled him to four world championships, holding off the brakes as long as possible and sliding around the outside on the first turn.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
18 May 2025
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Unfortunately, Porsha isn’t cunning enough for this to work.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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The floral motifs created a garden of light against the shimmering teal backdrop for a dramatic, yet delicate look.—
Pooja Shah,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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Lorenza Rosé, $23 Year after year, the Lorenza team produces a rosé that's both light and delicate while still being chock-full of flavor and personality.—
Seth Eli Barlow,
Arkansas Online,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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Equipped with dexterous whiskers, these pinnipeds use a suite of senses to navigate their surroundings with ease.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
29 May 2025
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Williams playing somewhere around his All-Star level would certainly help, but fates should largely fall into the dexterous hands of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
18 May 2025
Adjective
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Subscribe to the Life Kit newsletter for expert advice on love, money, relationships and more.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
21 May 2025
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There won’t be a tipping point, because the other side is too expert at lying.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
18 May 2025
Adjective
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Charlie Davis Season: 46 Placed: 2nd If Q was the hurricane blowing through Survivor 46, Davis was a source of calm geniality at the center, constantly quoting Taylor Swift songs while obscuring his careful, clever gameplay.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Time,
29 May 2025
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The 76 gasoline brand, after all, evokes the patriotism of 1776 — a clever marketing ploy.—
Sammy Roth,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deft. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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