artfulness

noun

Definition of artfulnessnext
1
as in cunning
skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means with well-practiced artfulness, he convinced his mother he was sick enough to stay home from school but not sick enough for a visit to the doctor's office

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2
as in skill
subtle or imaginative ability in inventing, devising, or executing something building a ship model requires a painstaking artfulness I don't have

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of artfulness The term seems to imply a mastery of all the resources of a form, displayed in a surprising context without self-conscious artfulness. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026 No need to get bogged down in questions about provenance, artfulness, long-form storytelling, or even metaphors. — Robin Givhan, Vanity Fair, 19 Aug. 2026 All of this shone vividly through his work, which shared his joy, artfulness and deep feeling, and most of all privileged human experience and social interaction. — Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026 Mike Bowman, designer, furniture industry expert, and director of marketing for Harmonia Living, says this trend relies on furnishings to bring artfulness to a space—rather than just functionality. — Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026 There is a real seriousness to the score — the scheming bad-guy music has the artfulness of Prokofiev, and even the sneaking-around cues have musical integrity and structure. — Tim Greiving, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025 All things considered, each of the couple’s selections exudes artfulness — prioritizing top-quality design and materials meant to last a lifetime. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for artfulness
  1. cunning
  2. skill
  3. subtlety
  4. skillfulness
  5. slyness
  6. subtleness
Noun
  • Since the second Inauguration, the Trumps and their satraps have operated with all the commercial cunning of the Corleone family; the White House is their front, their Genco Pura Olive Oil Company.
    — David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Rhaenyra also dismisses Mysaria, a wise move carried out in a very unwise manner, given the woman’s cunning.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of cunning
Noun
  • The students who stepped forward when their teacher collapsed playing basketball in Michigan illustrate what becomes possible when CPR skills are taught before they are needed.
    — Meng Yang, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Cheung said professionalism, patience and strong communication skills are particularly important for applicants, as is the ability to offer constructive criticism to students.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of skill
Noun
  • The Concept 7 Protection’s subtlety is a result of it being designed to provide security while moving quietly through the regular world, as opposed to an active war zone.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 14 Oct. 2026
  • One of my personal highlights was the Dries Van Noten show, which demonstrated a particularly sophisticated approach to color, combining richness, subtlety and emotion.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of subtlety
Noun
  • After taking over hosting duties from Padma Lakshmi in season 21, Kish is now the undeniable face of the series, one that represents the continuously evolving future of its programming, which prioritizes culinary skillfulness.
    — McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 21 June 2026
Definition of skillfulness
Noun
  • The harp is not an instrument of slyness, wryness, or the earth.
    — Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026
  • Like the tricksters of myth, there’s depth to their slyness.
    — Big Think, Big Think, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of slyness
Noun
  • The real surprise comes from the subtleness of the rose.
    — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of subtleness

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artfully
artfulness
art house
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Cite this Entry

“Artfulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/artfulness. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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