artfulness

/'ɑ:tfulnis/

Thân thiện

A magician's artfulness is revealed in the clever misdirection of his hands.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The quality of being cleverly skillful, especially in a cunning or deceitful way: "Artfulness" refers to the skill of achieving one's aims through clever, often indirect or manipulative, means. It implies a high degree of ingenuity that may be used to deceive or gain an unfair advantage.
   • Skillful execution or ingenuity: In a more neutral sense, it can denote cleverness or inventiveness in the execution of something, though this usage is less common.

Usage

• "Artfulness" is an uncountable noun. It describes a characteristic or quality of a person or their actions.
• It often carries a negative connotation, suggesting slyness or trickery, but context can determine if it is neutral (clever skill) or negative (cunning).

Examples

• The politician's artfulness in avoiding direct answers frustrated the journalists.
• She managed the difficult negotiation with great artfulness, securing a favorable deal without appearing aggressive.
• His artfulness in manipulating the stock market eventually led to an investigation.

Advanced Usage

• "With artfulness": In a manner that is cleverly skillful or cunning.
  • He sidestepped the accusation with artfulness, redirecting the conversation entirely.

Variants and Related Words

• Artful (adj): Clever or skillful, typically in a crafty or cunning way.
  • He gave an artful reply that satisfied everyone.
• Artlessly (adv): The opposite manner; in a natural, simple, or guileless way.

Synonyms

• Cunning: Skill in achieving one's ends by deceit.
• Guile: Sly or cunning intelligence.
• Slyness: Having or showing a cunning and deceitful nature.
• Craftiness: Skill in achieving one's aims by indirect or deceitful methods.
• Deviousness: Showing a skillful use of underhanded tactics to achieve goals.

Antonyms

• Artlessness: The quality of being natural, simple, and without deception.
• Guilelessness: Innocence or lack of deceit.
• Candor: The quality of being open and honest in expression; frankness.
• Naivety: Lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment.

Idioms and Phrases

• The artfulness of the ask: A phrase highlighting the clever or strategic way in which a request or demand is made.
  • The success of the fundraiser was due to the artfulness of the ask, which made donors feel personally invested.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the quality of being adroit in taking unfair advantage