ARTFUL Synonyms: 176 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'artful' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of artful are crafty , cunning , foxy , slick , sly , tricky , and wily . While all these words mean "attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means," artful implies indirectness in dealing and often connotes sophistication or cleverness. // elicited the information by artful questioning

Q: When might 'crafty' be a better fit than 'artful'?

The meanings of crafty and artful largely overlap; however, crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of method. // a crafty lefthander

Q: When could 'cunning' be used to replace 'artful'?

Although the words cunning and artful have much in common, cunning suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence in overreaching or circumventing. // the cunning fox avoided the trap

Q: Where would 'foxy' be a reasonable alternative to 'artful'?

The words foxy and artful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, foxy implies a shrewd and wary craftiness usually involving devious dealing. // a foxy publicity man planting stories

Q: In what contexts can 'slick' take the place of 'artful'?

The words slick and artful can be used in similar contexts, but slick emphasizes smoothness and guile. // slick operators selling time-sharing

Q: When would 'sly' be a good substitute for 'artful'?

In some situations, the words sly and artful are roughly equivalent. However, sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods. // a sly corporate raider

Q: When is it sensible to use 'tricky' instead of 'artful'?

While in some cases nearly identical to artful , tricky is more likely to suggest shiftiness and unreliability than skill in deception and maneuvering. // a tricky political operative

Q: When can 'wily' be used instead of 'artful'?

While the synonyms wily and artful are close in meaning, wily implies skill and deception in maneuvering. // the wily fugitive escaped the posse

artful

adjective

ˈärt-fəl

Definition of artful next

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

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

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as in virtuoso

accomplished with trained ability that was an artful way to handle a very delicate situation

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word artful distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of artful are crafty, cunning, foxy, slick, sly, tricky, and wily. While all these words mean "attaining or seeking to attain one's ends by guileful or devious means," artful implies indirectness in dealing and often connotes sophistication or cleverness.

elicited the information by artful questioning

When might crafty be a better fit than artful?

The meanings of crafty and artful largely overlap; however, crafty implies cleverness and subtlety of method.

a crafty lefthander

When could cunning be used to replace artful?

Although the words cunning and artful have much in common, cunning suggests the inventive use of sometimes limited intelligence in overreaching or circumventing.

the cunning fox avoided the trap

Where would foxy be a reasonable alternative to artful?

The words foxy and artful are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, foxy implies a shrewd and wary craftiness usually involving devious dealing.

a foxy publicity man planting stories

In what contexts can slick take the place of artful?

The words slick and artful can be used in similar contexts, but slick emphasizes smoothness and guile.

slick operators selling time-sharing

When would sly be a good substitute for artful?

In some situations, the words sly and artful are roughly equivalent. However, sly implies furtiveness, lack of candor, and skill in concealing one's aims and methods.

a sly corporate raider

When is it sensible to use tricky instead of artful?

While in some cases nearly identical to artful, tricky is more likely to suggest shiftiness and unreliability than skill in deception and maneuvering.

a tricky political operative

When can wily be used instead of artful?

While the synonyms wily and artful are close in meaning, wily implies skill and deception in maneuvering.

the wily fugitive escaped the posse

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 artful Beyond their fierce loyalty to competing luxury brands, Lawrence's artsy aesthetic favors breezy fabrics and eclectic accessories, while Stewart is a fan of structured suiting, daring haircuts, and an artful mix of masculine and feminine silhouettes. —

Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 18 May 2025 Since 2018, Sandeep Salter has been the creative visionary behind Salter House, an artful Brooklyn outpost that features sustainable housewares, clothing and a cafe. —

Ilana Kaplan, New York Times, 17 May 2025 This trendy city is home to a vibrant array of Japanese dining options, from sizzling yakiniku and creamy uni udon to artful omakase. —

Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025 But this artful, narrative-deep era of Galliano for Dior? —

Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for artful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for artful

Adjective

McLaren’s Piastri began in pole position and initially held off Verstappen before the Dutchman displayed all the brilliance, cunning and bravery that has propelled him to four world championships, holding off the brakes as long as possible and sliding around the outside on the first turn.

— Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 18 May 2025
Unfortunately, Porsha isn’t cunning enough for this to work.

— Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 12 May 2025

Definition of cunning

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“Artful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/artful. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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Last Updated: 4 Jun 2025 - Updated example sentences

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More from Merriam-Webster on artful

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Can you solve 4 words at once?

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