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GRE vocabulary

deft

adjectiveHigh-frequency wordMore D words

skillful and quick in movement or handling

Word origin: From Old English gedæfte, gentle or apt, related to deftly.

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In a sentence

Deft in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing deft in a sentence.

With a few deft strokes, the chef boned the entire fish.

With a few deft strokes, the cartoonist captured the politician's expression perfectly.

Synonyms
adroitdexterousnimble
Antonyms
clumsyawkwardinept

Quick GRE check

Question 1 of 3

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Verbal · Sentence Equivalence

Critics complained that the documentary's narration was relentlessly blank, hammering home its single thesis so often that viewers felt lectured rather than informed.

Select the two answers that give the sentence the same meaning. 0 of 2 selected.

Usage & nuance

Using “deft” well

Deft means skillful and quick, especially with the hands, and pairs with adroit and dexterous. It can also describe nimble handling of a delicate situation, not just physical dexterity.

Keep going

More GRE words starting with D

dabble

to engage in something superficially or as a casual pastime

dais

a raised platform for speakers or honored guests

dally

to waste time or act without urgency

dampen

to make something slightly wet, or to make a feeling or reaction less strong

dappled

marked with spots or patches of color or light

daunt

to intimidate or discourage with fear or doubt

dawdle

to move slowly or waste time idly

dearth

a scarcity or shortage of something

Common questions

Questions about “deft”

Deft (adjective) means skillful and quick in movement or handling
Here is deft used in an example sentence: "With a few deft strokes, the chef boned the entire fish." Another example: "With a few deft strokes, the cartoonist captured the politician's expression perfectly."
Common synonyms for deft include adroit, dexterous, nimble.
Antonyms of deft include clumsy, awkward, inept.
Clusters with adroit, dexterous, and nimble in Sentence Equivalence. Antonyms clumsy, awkward, and inept describe a lack of skill.
Yes. Deft is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

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