1
: performed with or showing art or skill
an artful performance on the violin
2
3
: artificial
trim walks and artful bowers—
William Wordsworth
William Wordsworth
artfulness
noun
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A writer may produce an artful piece of prose, one that's clearly and elegantly written. The same writer might also make an artful argument, one that cleverly leaves out certain details and plays up others so as to make a stronger case. In the first instance, the prose is well crafted; in the second, the argument might instead be called crafty. But even though both uses are correct, most of us still use artful somewhat differently from artistic.
Synonyms
Examples of artful in a Sentence
the artful lawyer got the witness to admit he had been lying
that kitchen gadget is an artful tool for extracting cherry pits
Recent Examples on the Web
The artful touches extend to the imaginative treatment of elements like the turquoise appliances in the chef’s show kitchen, on view from the open-plan dining room.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 25 Nov. 2024
On the ground floor, the artful Tribe Caribe features a bistro and the Black Box Gallery—a venue for performances and exhibitions.
—Passport By Forbeslife, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
For Season 4, Kripke, along with the cast and team of writers and artisans, delivered sharp character writing, artful visual effects and spectacular action sequences.
—Lauren Ames, Variety, 18 Nov. 2024
West Sussex, on the other hand, is a little more artful, with brilliant shows guaranteed at Petworth’s Newlands House Gallery.
—Sarah James, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Nov. 2024
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Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 25 Nov. 2024
On the ground floor, the artful Tribe Caribe features a bistro and the Black Box Gallery—a venue for performances and exhibitions.
—Passport By Forbeslife, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
For Season 4, Kripke, along with the cast and team of writers and artisans, delivered sharp character writing, artful visual effects and spectacular action sequences.
—Lauren Ames, Variety, 18 Nov. 2024
West Sussex, on the other hand, is a little more artful, with brilliant shows guaranteed at Petworth’s Newlands House Gallery.
—Sarah James, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for artful
Dictionary Entries Near artful
Cite this Entry
“Artful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/artful. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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