See More

Some common synonyms of craft<\/em> are artifice<\/em><\/a>, art<\/em><\/a>, cunning<\/em><\/a>, and skill<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"the faculty of executing well what one has devised,\" craft<\/em> may imply expertness in workmanship.<\/p>

\/\/ the craft<\/em> of a master goldsmith<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'art' instead of 'craft'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words art<\/em><\/a> and craft<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, art<\/em> implies a personal, unanalyzable creative power.<\/p>

\/\/ the art<\/em> of choosing the right word<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'artifice' be used to replace 'craft'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to craft<\/em>, artifice<\/em><\/a> suggests technical skill especially in imitating things in nature.<\/p>

\/\/ believed realism in film could be achieved only by artifice<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'cunning' be a reasonable alternative to 'craft'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words cunning<\/em><\/a> and craft<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, cunning<\/em> suggests ingenuity and subtlety in devising, inventing, or executing.<\/p>

\/\/ a mystery plotted with great cunning<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'skill' be a good substitute for 'craft'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of skill<\/em><\/a> and craft<\/em> largely overlap; however, skill<\/em> stresses technical knowledge and proficiency.<\/p>

\/\/ the skill<\/em> of a glassblower<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does the noun 'craft' contrast with its synonyms?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Some common synonyms of craft<\/em> are artifice<\/em><\/a>, art<\/em><\/a>, cunning<\/em><\/a>, and skill<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"the faculty of executing well what one has devised,\" craft<\/em> may imply expertness in workmanship.<\/p>

\/\/ the craft<\/em> of a master goldsmith<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'art' instead of 'craft'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words art<\/em><\/a> and craft<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, art<\/em> implies a personal, unanalyzable creative power.<\/p>

\/\/ the art<\/em> of choosing the right word<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'artifice' be used to replace 'craft'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to craft<\/em>, artifice<\/em><\/a> suggests technical skill especially in imitating things in nature.<\/p>

\/\/ believed realism in film could be achieved only by artifice<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'cunning' be a reasonable alternative to 'craft'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words cunning<\/em><\/a> and craft<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, cunning<\/em> suggests ingenuity and subtlety in devising, inventing, or executing.<\/p>

\/\/ a mystery plotted with great cunning<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When would 'skill' be a good substitute for 'craft'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of skill<\/em><\/a> and craft<\/em> largely overlap; however, skill<\/em> stresses technical knowledge and proficiency.<\/p>

\/\/ the skill<\/em> of a glassblower<\/p>" } } ] }

craft 1 of 2

noun

ˈkraft How to pronounce craft (audio)
Definition of craftnext
1
as in art
an occupation requiring skillful use of the hands an expert in the craft of cabinetmaking

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in boat
a small buoyant structure for travel on water borrowed a craft to get across the river

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in deception
the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or trickery never hesitated to resort to craft to get what they wanted in life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in cunning
skill in achieving one's ends through indirect, subtle, or underhanded means celebrated in political circles for his craft, he's the legislator who knows how to get bills passed

Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in skill
subtle or imaginative ability in inventing, devising, or executing something a really ingenious household appliance that shows a lot of craft on the part of its inventors

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

craft

2 of 2

verb

as in to prepare
to put (something) into proper and usually carefully worked out written form spent hours crafting the perfect letter of recommendation for her prize student

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun craft contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of craft are artifice, art, cunning, and skill. While all these words mean "the faculty of executing well what one has devised," craft may imply expertness in workmanship.

the craft of a master goldsmith

When is it sensible to use art instead of craft?

In some situations, the words art and craft are roughly equivalent. However, art implies a personal, unanalyzable creative power.

the art of choosing the right word

When could artifice be used to replace craft?

While in some cases nearly identical to craft, artifice suggests technical skill especially in imitating things in nature.

believed realism in film could be achieved only by artifice

Where would cunning be a reasonable alternative to craft?

The words cunning and craft are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, cunning suggests ingenuity and subtlety in devising, inventing, or executing.

a mystery plotted with great cunning

When would skill be a good substitute for craft?

The meanings of skill and craft largely overlap; however, skill stresses technical knowledge and proficiency.

the skill of a glassblower

How does the noun craft contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of craft are artifice, art, cunning, and skill. While all these words mean "the faculty of executing well what one has devised," craft may imply expertness in workmanship.

the craft of a master goldsmith

When is it sensible to use art instead of craft?

In some situations, the words art and craft are roughly equivalent. However, art implies a personal, unanalyzable creative power.

the art of choosing the right word

When could artifice be used to replace craft?

While in some cases nearly identical to craft, artifice suggests technical skill especially in imitating things in nature.

believed realism in film could be achieved only by artifice

Where would cunning be a reasonable alternative to craft?

The words cunning and craft are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, cunning suggests ingenuity and subtlety in devising, inventing, or executing.

a mystery plotted with great cunning

When would skill be a good substitute for craft?

The meanings of skill and craft largely overlap; however, skill stresses technical knowledge and proficiency.

the skill of a glassblower

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 craft
Noun
That perfectly reflects the level of craft present at the festival. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2026 Boaters are also warned to be cautious in the Atlantic and Keys water's with a small craft advisory. —Scott Withers, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
The duo's matching white dresses also came courtesy of Alexander McQueen, the same fashion house that crafted Kate's wedding gown back in 2011. —Emma Banks, InStyle, 12 Apr. 2026 This scarf from Quince is crafted from breathable 100 percent European linen. —Caitlin Palumbo, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for craft
Recent Examples of Synonyms for craft
  1. art
  2. boat
  3. deception
  4. cunning
  5. skill
  6. prepare
  7. trade
  8. vessel
Noun
  • What does all this have to do, pray, with a woman pouring milk from a jug, or reading a letter, or patiently making lace—the kind of activity, that is, pursued in Vermeer’s art?
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
  • This year's competition featured 62 pieces of art created by students attending 11 different high schools and homeschools in the district.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Apr. 2026
Definition of art
Noun
  • The two men and two women died Thursday in strong currents while trying to board the boat Ali allegedly piloted off the coast of Calais.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Other amenities include a boat ramp, fishing along the river, a good-sized campground, and a limestone lodge for large gatherings.
    — Joie Probst, Midwest Living, 10 Apr. 2026
Definition of boat
Noun
  • At the same time, the CIA mounted a deception operation to mislead Iranians who also were trying to find him.
    — Jonathan J. Cooper, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
  • As an investigation unfolds, one small lie grows into a web of deception that begins to affect her work, her family, and her sense of self.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
Definition of deception
Noun
  • Maybe the mere fact of having been born illustrious, with no apparent faults, with nothing to prove or to be ashamed of, had liberated John from the resentments the rest of us feel, and from the cunning and ambition such resentments fuel.
    — Jeffrey Eugenides, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The Brazil international combines technical craft with a decisive cunning.
    — Carl Anka, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of cunning
Noun
  • Experience, often in multiple systems, pays off at skill positions more than ever.
    — Noah White, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
  • As Inside Higher Ed notes, graduates with adaptable skills often continue to grow while others plateau.
    — Rasheem Rooke, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026
Definition of skill
Verb
  • Despite intelligence that Saigon would be overrun by the North Vietnamese Army in a matter of days, the American Ambassador, Graham Martin, refused to prepare for an evacuation.
    — Louis Menand, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
  • The only lockers with equipment left in them belonged to Alexandre Carrier and Noah Dobson, the team’s only two right-shot defencemen, two players who were clearly not boarding that flight the team’s equipment staff was preparing for.
    — Arpon Basu, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2026
Definition of prepare
Noun
  • For a state like Illinois — a global hub for manufacturing and agriculture — these federal trade wars act as a direct anchor on our economy.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
  • The draft As part of an NBA settlement over the Heat not being made fully aware of the gambling investigation into Terry Rozier ahead of the Heat’s January 2024 trade for the guard, the Heat from the Hornets will be receiving Golden State’s second-round pick in June.
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
Definition of trade
Noun
  • Instead, the analyst, whom the firm did not name due to the sensitivity of the activity, found that vessels are still moving through the strait, with traffic picking up in recent days to roughly 15 ships per day, according to the firm’s report posted on Substack.
    — Dylan Butts, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
  • In addition, the peptide seems to promote angiogenesis, the development of new blood vessels, possibly via a signalling molecule expressed in many human cancers.
    — Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Definition of vessel

Browse Nearby Words

cradling
craft
crafted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Craft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/craft. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on craft

Nglish: Translation of craft for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about craft

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of kibitzer

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is it 'further' or 'farther'?

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

The Words of the Week - Apr. 10

How long is a jiffy?

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

17 Words for Dog Breeds
See More

Popular

See More

Is it 'further' or 'farther'?

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

The Words of the Week - Apr. 10
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
womans hand holding a green four leaf clover
Are You Feeling Lucky? Quiz A charming quiz about fortunate and unfortunate w...
See All