as in masterfully
in a skillful or expert manner
the company spokesperson deftly sidestepped the investigative reporter's questions
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Recent Examples of deftly
Viewers are dropped into the aftermath of an unnamed personal conflict and must work out over the course of the runtime the stakes of the situation, a highwire act handled deftly by the actors whose tender performances provide the emotional impact of the film’s shattering final sequence.
—
Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
But as Plemons so deftly plays him, Teddy doesn’t seem like a lunatic.
—Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
The show deftly veers between comedy and tragedy, using a local news staple’s breakdown to issue dire warnings about consumerism and global warming.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
The Halloween special was tailor-made for a series like Rocko’s Modern Life, which traded deftly in a mix of lunacy and oddly poignant earnestness.
—Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
The Chargers’ second-year receiver has 110 catches and nine touchdowns in his first NFL 22 NFL games, while displaying an ability to deftly escape defenders.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
While known for cannoli, other specialties at Tony Cannoli Sweets & Eats include cheesecakes and deftly decorated multi-layer cakes with various fillings.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 13 Oct. 2025
An artificial intelligence trade that is lifting the entirety of the market, for one, as well as the restart of the Fed's easing cycle, and still-strong corporate earnings that show executives are deftly navigating business challenges.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
The Jays managed through a best-of-five Division Series against the Yankees with just three starting pitchers, deftly navigating a bullpen day for a clinching Game 4.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 24 Oct. 2025
But as Plemons so deftly plays him, Teddy doesn’t seem like a lunatic.
—Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
The show deftly veers between comedy and tragedy, using a local news staple’s breakdown to issue dire warnings about consumerism and global warming.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 22 Oct. 2025
The Halloween special was tailor-made for a series like Rocko’s Modern Life, which traded deftly in a mix of lunacy and oddly poignant earnestness.
—Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
The Chargers’ second-year receiver has 110 catches and nine touchdowns in his first NFL 22 NFL games, while displaying an ability to deftly escape defenders.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
While known for cannoli, other specialties at Tony Cannoli Sweets & Eats include cheesecakes and deftly decorated multi-layer cakes with various fillings.
—Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 13 Oct. 2025
An artificial intelligence trade that is lifting the entirety of the market, for one, as well as the restart of the Fed's easing cycle, and still-strong corporate earnings that show executives are deftly navigating business challenges.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025
The Jays managed through a best-of-five Division Series against the Yankees with just three starting pitchers, deftly navigating a bullpen day for a clinching Game 4.
—Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deftly
Adverb
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Milei caters masterfully to Trump’s ego and will be president even if his party loses seats in Argentina’s legislature.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
26 Oct. 2025
-
This particular aspect of the show frays the gripping tone that had been so masterfully crafted from its opening scene.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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The six-episode limited series skillfully blends the past and the present.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Burns, who is the White House bureau chief for Politico, skillfully kept the conversation moving, but also interspersed occasional scoop-seeking questions, like whether Emanuel will run for president in 2028.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
10 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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There are some, and (there) should be increased, opportunities for therapeutic intervention for parents as well.—
Ashley Luthern,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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The loose fit is perfect for layering, too, and packs down surprisingly well.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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But this workaday agenda has been artfully wrapped in therapy-speak.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
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Chef and co-owner Gina Genshlea works with winemakers Colleen Clothier and Sam Wharton to artfully blend seasonal meals with a snapshot of the Sacramento Valley’s wine scene.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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One of his former teachers was still there, coaxing students to line up neatly.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
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But not everything can fit neatly in an eight-part series, and there’s a reason the case is still being dissected today.—
Elisabeth Garber-Paul,
Rolling Stone,
24 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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In this case, the characters’ back stories are knitted together with an impactful range of lyrics that Swindley has mined from the country music canon, repeatedly adroitly interweaving song lyrics and dialogue.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
4 Aug. 2025
Adverb
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In another Oscar-winning performance, Jamie Foxx expertly embodied legendary singer, songwriter and pianist Ray Charles in 2004's Ray.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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Having started his career as a film critic and essayist on YouTube, Stuckmann makes the transition to director with a horror movie that expertly blends media and feels at times like a mockumentary ripped right from the video platform.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
24 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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And Berchtold capably taps into the raw pain underneath Paul’s party-bro exterior, rendering him pitiable if not exactly likable.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Oct. 2025
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Can Bub Carrington score more efficiently and defend more capably?—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deftly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deftly. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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