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Synonyms

deftness

American  
[deft-nis] / ˈdɛft nɪs /

noun

  1. cleverness or skill in using either the body or mind; dexterity or nimbleness.

    He was a highly skilled artisan who used his tools with the deftness and certainty of genius.

Etymology

Origin of deftness

deft ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The author has a gift for describing pristine lowland forests and the majesty of trees more than 1,000 years old, and equal deftness in showing the horror of their devastation by logging and fire.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

And Borgli, who serves as his own editor, weaves them into the narrative with a deftness that confounds our sense of what is and isn’t really happening.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 9, 2023

Mr Scalise will have to demonstrate a political deftness if he wants to avoid a similar fate.

From BBC • Oct. 11, 2023

Rock often establishes his arguments with the deftness and nuance of a skilled trial lawyer, but he’s not trying to give a fair, fleshed out version of events.

From New York Times • Mar. 5, 2023

Will marveled at the deftness in those huge black hooks.

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.