1
as in inexperienced
lacking or showing a lack of expert skill
an unskilled handling of the facial features in the portrait explains why it is attributed to "school of Velázquez" and not to the master himself
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in incompetent
lacking qualities (as knowledge, skill, or ability) required to do a job
hired unskilled workers because they would work for lower wages
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unskilled
Related Stories Whoever says this is unskilled work is either ignorant or lying.
—
Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 4 Apr. 2025
Photo: Focus Features/Everett Collection A Coen brothers riff on the spy genre, Burn After Reading is filled with self-mythologizing drunks, unskilled opportunists, and borderline morons.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
In reference to Table 1, TRINA 1.0 was able to perform telemedicine and unskilled physical tasks.
—Kris Hauser, IEEE Spectrum, 4 May 2020
Consecutive droughts in recent years have devastated livestock populations, forcing hundreds of thousands of herders to give up their traditional lifestyles and move, as unskilled workers, to sprawling towns.
—Mohamed Adow, Foreign Affairs, 13 Apr. 2020
See All Example Sentences for unskilled
Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 4 Apr. 2025
Photo: Focus Features/Everett Collection A Coen brothers riff on the spy genre, Burn After Reading is filled with self-mythologizing drunks, unskilled opportunists, and borderline morons.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
In reference to Table 1, TRINA 1.0 was able to perform telemedicine and unskilled physical tasks.
—Kris Hauser, IEEE Spectrum, 4 May 2020
Consecutive droughts in recent years have devastated livestock populations, forcing hundreds of thousands of herders to give up their traditional lifestyles and move, as unskilled workers, to sprawling towns.
—Mohamed Adow, Foreign Affairs, 13 Apr. 2020
See All Example Sentences for unskilled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unskilled
Adjective
-
Trump is somewhat incompetent at being an autocrat right now.—
Steve Inskeep,
NPR,
6 June 2025
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Two common themes emerged: many aren’t sure of who the DA is or what the office does and, those who do know, view the DA as ineffective, unprofessional and, in many cases, incompetent.—
Craig MacLellan,
Boston Herald,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, out since October and November with serious knee injuries, might be unfit too.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
8 June 2025
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The latest policy makes no such exception, deeming any service member with a current diagnosis, history or symptoms of gender dysphoria unfit for military service.—
Brooke Migdon,
The Hill,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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Here, Rodel shares how to make the unfitted kitchen trend your own, one statement-worthy piece at a time.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 May 2025
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Mix Materials The beauty in the unfitted kitchen aesthetic is found in its collected look.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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This definition also includes instance in which the victim is incapable of giving consent because of temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity (include due to the influence of drugs or alcohol) or because of age.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
6 June 2025
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Employees at every level should feel comfortable acknowledging mental health struggles without fear of being labeled unproductive or incapable.—
Mindi Cox,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unskilled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unskilled. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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