1
as in virtuoso
accomplished with trained ability
the ice skater performed a skillful and graceful series of jumps
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in skilled
having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor
performance testing of automobiles that should be done only by skillful drivers on a closed course
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skillful
And can that leader evolve and morph over time, hopefully becoming more skillful.
—
Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026
Baron was known for his skillful driving on the racetrack and his love of cruising steep canyon roads.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
The invader is a skillful art restorer, Lori Butler (Michaela Coel), who’s been hired by Julian’s greedy children, Barnaby (James Corden) and Sallie (Jessica Gunning), to work, or pose, as their father’s new assistant.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
Literary style and themes Critics have praised French’s novels for their vivid settings, psychologically nuanced characters, and skillful dialogue.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for skillful
Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026
Baron was known for his skillful driving on the racetrack and his love of cruising steep canyon roads.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
The invader is a skillful art restorer, Lori Butler (Michaela Coel), who’s been hired by Julian’s greedy children, Barnaby (James Corden) and Sallie (Jessica Gunning), to work, or pose, as their father’s new assistant.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
Literary style and themes Critics have praised French’s novels for their vivid settings, psychologically nuanced characters, and skillful dialogue.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for skillful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skillful
Adjective
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Thanks to more than 200 years of intense and virtuoso scientific work, what were once valid or at least plausible concerns and objections to vaccines have been overcome.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
A lot of the movie feels like a virtuoso chase sequence, people barreling down the road, guns blazing.—
Joshua Rothkopf,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
Adjective
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But he’s proven to be a skilled attacking midfielder, capable of outgunning players twice his age.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
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The open-border policy has allowed organizations to recruit skilled talent from neighboring European countries, and many sectors now rely on foreign workers.—
Sam Forsdick,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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This is a masterful combat sports game with the only thing keeping it from perfection being polish that could come over time and something that connects more to current events in the real-life product.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
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The intensity of the moment is further heightened by Smith’s masterful direction.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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D’Souza, in the signature quarter-zip of the startup tribesmen, exuded the confidence and finesse of someone long adept at raising money.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
12 June 2026
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The one percent of star artists aren’t immune from these challenges, though some are more adept at navigating them.—
Shirley Halperin,
Rolling Stone,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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For full daily and monthly horoscopes as well as expert readings, see our full Horoscopes experience.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
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Hedge funds are most attractive to investors when the over-all market performs poorly, as bruised investors seek ways to protect themselves against another crash by putting their money in the hands of people supposedly expert at managing risk.—
Gary Sernovitz,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
Adjective
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In the last year of district control, about 12% of Locke students tested as proficient in English Language Arts, and about 3% in math.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
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States have since haltingly rolled out standards for history education, but after 30 years of reform, students’ performance on history exams has slightly declined—just 14 percent are rated proficient.—
Yoni Appelbaum,
The Atlantic,
8 June 2026
Adjective
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The Sphere, his baby, has become an artistic and, now, financial success.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
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Horror still fights for respect, box office success still gets dismissed as commercial rather than artistic, and a movie made by a YouTube creator will face every condescension the awards ecosystem can muster.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
15 June 2026
Adjective
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Ilunga was an experienced player who had won a number of domestic, continental and international titles, including the 1974 Africa Cup of Nations.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
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In an exclusive interview with CBS, the attorneys alleged that the teen experienced complications related to anesthesia before having a rhinoplasty at Svelta Plastic Surgery.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skillful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skillful. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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