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Synonym Chooser

How is the word skillful distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of skillful are adept, expert, proficient, and skilled. While all these words mean "having great knowledge and experience in a trade or profession," skillful implies individual dexterity in execution or performance.

skillful drivers

In what contexts can adept take the place of skillful?

While in some cases nearly identical to skillful, adept implies special aptitude as well as proficiency.

adept at doing long division

When is it sensible to use expert instead of skillful?

Although the words expert and skillful have much in common, expert implies extraordinary proficiency and often connotes knowledge as well as technical skill.

expert in the evaluation of wines

When would proficient be a good substitute for skillful?

The synonyms proficient and skillful are sometimes interchangeable, but proficient implies a thorough competence derived from training and practice.

proficient in translating foreign languages

When might skilled be a better fit than skillful?

While the synonyms skilled and skillful are close in meaning, skilled stresses mastery of technique.

a skilled surgeon

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 skillful This skillful painting by Sophie Zhou, a junior at The Kincaid School, was sold for a record $276,000 at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's school art competition auction. Shafaq Patel, Axios, 19 Mar. 2025 This hints that, yes, skillful storytellers may actually live longer. Ron Shachar, Scientific American, 7 Mar. 2025 Anderson makes that suspension of disbelief easy enough, however, through skillful orchestration of atmospheric and action-ful eye candy. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 6 Mar. 2025 Actors as skillful as Ruffalo and Toni Collette, the craven leader Marshall’s imperious wife, come off pretty pushy here. Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for skillful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skillful
Adjective
  • Wiggins, a skilled scorer, doesn’t fit what the Heat ideally needs: someone who can finish at the basket, draw fouls, get Miami into offense and take over games late.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
  • On Via Montenapoleone, the store’s façade features arched windows crafted by skilled Murano glassmaker Venini.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Though White occasionally fell short tying together all the threads — a few songs ambled deep into the weeds and nearly suffocated from their complexity — his masterful guitar techniques and kinetic vocals made the detours worthwhile.
    Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Following a masterful opening round at Augusta National, round one leader Justin Rose came back to earth on Friday, allowing much of the field to move within striking distance heading to the weekend.
    Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This new species, found near the summit, is adept at moving through trees and has bright blue skin visible only when inflated.
    Stories by Real-Time news team, with AI summarization, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Monetary easing by central banks can mitigate the damage, and businesses are adept at restructuring supply chains to pass on costs.
    Robert Ginsburg, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Art Weston, a Kentucky resident, went to Lake Livingston, Texas, to catch an alligator gar with the help of an expert guide and fisherman, Captain Kirk Kirkland.
    Ashley J. DiMella Fox News, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Subscribe to the Life Kit newsletter for expert advice on love, money, relationships and more.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • That score means those students haven’t mastered even the basic skills needed to become proficient readers.
    Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Apr. 2025
  • What’s Included in Your Climb A proficient climb leader will be with you the entire way, from start to finish.
    Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This simple, yet challenging, theme breaks from traditional norms in order to build a strong and resonant artistic brand.
    Matt Emma, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Loloi rug collections is named for a street in the West Village, the historically artistic neighborhood where Brent launched his career and currently lives with his family.
    Morgan Goldberg, Architectural Digest, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • An estimated 14% of those who took the highest dose experienced vomiting, while 16% and 26% had nausea and diarrhea, respectively.
    Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Be open and willing to start conversations with more experienced employees.
    Julia Sullivan, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Soft and delicate fragrances of spring flowers and mandarins.
    Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Hoffman recalls of including the delicate destination nods.
    David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 21 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Skillful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skillful. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on skillful

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