1
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
the artful lawyer got the witness to admit he had been lying
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inventive
showing a noteworthy use of the imagination and creativity especially in inventing
that kitchen gadget is an artful tool for extracting cherry pits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in virtuoso
accomplished with trained ability
that was an artful way to handle a very delicate situation
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of artful
The fashion brand founded by Jasmin Larian Hekmat launched its first bridal collection on Tuesday, featuring a selection of white dresses with architectural lines and artful accessories.
—
Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 15 Apr. 2025
They're often decorated with fruit, petals and artful squiggles of pastel-colored buttercream.
—Ana Calderone, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Forty-plus years later, a music video directed by Max Weiland shot to be used by John on tour pays artful tribute to Los Angeles, the other love story at the center of the song.
2.
—Shana Naomi Krochmal, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
The watch face features an artful depiction of Popeye in mid-swing, capturing his brawn, determination, and humor set against a vivid golf course backdrop.
—Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for artful
Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 15 Apr. 2025
They're often decorated with fruit, petals and artful squiggles of pastel-colored buttercream.
—Ana Calderone, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Forty-plus years later, a music video directed by Max Weiland shot to be used by John on tour pays artful tribute to Los Angeles, the other love story at the center of the song.
2.
—Shana Naomi Krochmal, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
The watch face features an artful depiction of Popeye in mid-swing, capturing his brawn, determination, and humor set against a vivid golf course backdrop.
—Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for artful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for artful
Adjective
-
In real life, most would-be Proud Boys don’t have cunning, progressive housemates who will throw away their gun parts.—
Amy Weiss-Meyer,
The Atlantic,
8 May 2025
-
Premiering in January 2023, The Traitors has gone on to widespread acclaim, even winning Emmys for Outstanding Reality Competition Program and Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program (Alan Cumming on cunning form).—
Griff Griffin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
But then her documentary, Lee Soo Man, The King of K-Pop is not just about the inventive pop music that quickly gained a worldwide following.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
-
The drink list includes inventive cocktails, wines, local beers and some fun zero-proof options like the Vida Verdita, a blend of jalapeño, mint, pineapple, cilantro and bubbly water.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 May 2025
Adjective
-
Leather Small Crossbody Bag Jennifer Garner and Judy Greer just wore cute and functional outfits that reminded us how convenient crossbody bags are.—
Isabel Garcia,
People.com,
7 May 2025
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At a press screening of the film in March, these cute, interstitial clips drew big laughs.—
Eric Renner Brown,
Billboard,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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For apartment dwellers and people who prefer not to dangle midair, this clever contraption looks like a window-cleaning game changer.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 May 2025
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The story centers on 16-year-old Haymitch (Joseph Zada), a clever and resourceful boy from District 12, who’s unexpectedly chosen for this edition of the games, which will feature a deadly twist: twice the number of tributes, with 48 children sent into the arena to battle for their lives.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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Newton’s jewels are alive with her mastery of design, composition, skillful use of materials, and an instinct for creating irresistible objects.—
Kyle Roderick,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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The show’s real draw is its cast, which expands to include Matthew Rhys as a troubled detective, and a skillful adaptation that highlights the glossiest, cleverest elements of classic Christie—and adds a pinch of eros.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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With its strapless neckline, subtle side slit, and body-hugging silhouette, it was made for sipping cocktails under palm trees in Miami or dancing the night away in Barcelona.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
13 May 2025
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Vasudevan explains that cats use their paws not just for hunting or defending, but also for play and subtle communication.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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Nearly every dish at Uma Roma, an innovative new restaurant, is dedicated to a single ingredient.—
Seth Sherwood,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
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For entrepreneurial parents and innovative educators, this may be a frontier worth exploring.—
Dan Fitzpatrick,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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Despite her formidable workload as Dior’s artistic director of women’s collections, Chiuri has also taken on a personal project: restoring a historic theater in her hometown.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
14 May 2025
-
The bathing events of Wet were conceived as artistic social experiments, not as business prototypes.—
Courtney Wittich,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Artful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/artful. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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