deftness
Light-handed precision
Deftness is skillful quickness and ease of movement or handling.
The word implies grace under pressure—a surgeon's deftness with a scalpel, a politician's deftness in dodging questions.
She admired the deftness with which he changed the subject.
Where skill alone suggests competence, deftness adds nimbleness and light touch.
Ease of quick movement
- agilityQuickness and ease
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
- finesseSubtle, deft handling
- adroitnessSkillful ease in action
sleight · manipulation · handiness · light-footedness · sure-handed · dexterity · flexibility · fluidity
Skill from extensive practice
- proficiencySkilled performance level
- masteryComplete skill or control
- competenceAdequate ability to function
- aptitudeInnate capability
talent · adeptness · facility · prowess · artistry · virtuosity · finesse · flair
Sensitivity in speech
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- subtletyFine distinction, easily missed
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
- sensitivityResponsiveness to stimuli
grace · poise · smoothness · charm · persuasiveness · negotiation · mediation · nuance
Sharpness of mind
- quick-thinkingMentally rapid, resourceful
- astutenessShrewd perceptiveness
- shrewdnessKeen practical judgment
- clevernessMental quickness and skill
ingenuity · resourcefulness · wit · perceptiveness · discernment · sagacity · sharpness · keenness
nimbleness
Ease of quick movement
- agilityQuickness and ease
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
- finesseSubtle, deft handling
adroitness · sleight · manipulation · handiness · light-footedness · sure-handed · dexterity · flexibility · fluidity · gracefulness
expertise
Skill from extensive practice
- proficiencySkilled performance level
- masteryComplete skill or control
- competenceAdequate ability to function
aptitude · talent · adeptness · facility · prowess · artistry · virtuosity · finesse · flair · polish
tact
Sensitivity in speech
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- subtletyFine distinction, easily missed
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
sensitivity · grace · poise · smoothness · charm · persuasiveness · negotiation · mediation · nuance · delicacy
acumen
Sharpness of mind
- quick-thinkingMentally rapid, resourceful
- astutenessShrewd perceptiveness
- shrewdnessKeen practical judgment
cleverness · ingenuity · resourcefulness · wit · perceptiveness · discernment · sagacity · sharpness · keenness · insight
- skillsskills, skill, ability, abilities, competencies
- dexteritydexterous, nimble, agile, adroit, nimbleness
- speedspeed, quickness, rate, velocity, pace
- athleticismspeed, agility, strength, endurance, stamina
- intellectintelligence, intellect, brainpower, mind, cognition
- refinementrefinement, elegance, sophistication, polish, taste
deftnessclumsiness
Lack of physical grace
awkwardness · ungainliness · klutziness · gracelessness · gawkiness
deftnessineptitude
Lack of ability
incompetence · incapability · inability · ineptness · bungling
deftnessgaucheness
Social ineptitude
tactlessness · gracelessness · heavy-handedness · clumsiness · bluntness