adept 1 of 2

Definition of adeptnext

adept

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word adept distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of adept are expert, proficient, skilled, and skillful. While all these words mean "having great knowledge and experience in a trade or profession," adept implies special aptitude as well as proficiency.

adept at doing long division

When is it sensible to use expert instead of adept?

While in some cases nearly identical to adept, expert implies extraordinary proficiency and often connotes knowledge as well as technical skill.

expert in the evaluation of wines

When is proficient a more appropriate choice than adept?

In some situations, the words proficient and adept are roughly equivalent. However, proficient implies a thorough competence derived from training and practice.

proficient in translating foreign languages

In what contexts can skilled take the place of adept?

The words skilled and adept can be used in similar contexts, but skilled stresses mastery of technique.

a skilled surgeon

When might skillful be a better fit than adept?

The meanings of skillful and adept largely overlap; however, skillful implies individual dexterity in execution or performance.

skillful drivers

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 adept
Adjective
Psychological flexibility is about being fluid and agile, versatile and adept. Joan M. Cook, Time, 12 May 2026 Experience goes a long way, especially if the Lakers get Doncic back at some point during the series, but the Thunder have proven adept at navigating every aspect of the playoffs since last spring. Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Noun
But if the destination is appealing and the driver adept, the journey is bound to be worth taking. Judy Berman, Time, 27 Oct. 2025 He was investigated by the SS on the orders of Heinrich Himmler but convinced his investigators, all adepts of Deutsche Physik, that he was engaged in worthwhile teaching and research. Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for adept
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adept
Adjective
  • In these situations, even highly skilled engineers spend more time managing complexity rather than delivering value.
    Prashanthi Kolluru, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
  • Production infrastructure and skilled crew have kept up the pace too, Olguin says.
    Kathy A. McDonald, Variety, 15 May 2026
Noun
  • The federal gas tax has also remained unchanged since 1993, which experts say has already eroded the Highway Trust Fund’s purchasing power when accounting for inflation.
    Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
  • But legal experts say Uber’s proposal to cap attorney compensation — which would apply to all car accident cases, not just those involving rideshare vehicles — risks shutting poor people who can’t afford to pay a lawyer up front out of courthouses.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • This country has produced leaders who understood that the office was never about them, that service means something, and that the people watching from home deserve better than a system that rewards the skillful exit over the honest reckoning.
    Nick Weston, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026
  • Miami coach Mario Cristobal is known for his skillful recruiting of top prospects.
    Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Tremendously fierce to everyone and everything except each other and their master.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
  • Now that she’s graduated with her business degree, the mom of four is planning on going back to school for her master’s in the fall.
    Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
Adjective
  • Only a third of K-8 students are proficient in core subjects, test data shows.
    Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2026
  • Just talks about how proficient everybody else is at doing their job.
    LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • Michael Socolow, a media scholar and a professor of communication and journalism at the University of Maine, joins The Excerpt to share his insights.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 13 May 2026
  • As reading scores tumbled over the past decade, parents, scholars and literacy advocates pushed for teaching methods that align with decades of research about how kids learn to read — largely by sounding out words.
    ABC News, ABC News, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • Soon after my arrival, our experienced local guide Jorge rolled out the big map and planned the perfect itinerary for our short stay, catering to our preferences and skill level.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 May 2026
  • These recipes are great for beginners learning how to cook chicken in a skillet, or for the more experienced chefs looking for new recipes to add to their weekly dinner rotation.
    Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 13 May 2026
Noun
  • Moore is a multiaward-winning saxophone player, and Wheeler is a Grammy-winning producer, composer and keyboard virtuoso.
    Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 18 May 2026
  • To call a musician a virtuoso can be double-edged.
    Justin Davidson, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Adept.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adept. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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