1
as in incompetent
lacking qualities (as knowledge, skill, or ability) required to do a job
an unskillful editor can be worse than none at all
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inexperienced
lacking or showing a lack of expert skill
some painfully unskillful playing by the band's guitarist
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unskillful
It was intended to be a mockery of the way White people danced, though plantation owners often interpreted slaves' movements as unskillful attempts to be like them.
—
Scottie Andrew and Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 6 July 2020
As is often the case, Louie was unlucky — and also unskillful.
—Frank Stewart, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2017
Scottie Andrew and Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 6 July 2020
As is often the case, Louie was unlucky — and also unskillful.
—Frank Stewart, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unskillful
Adjective
-
He was found incompetent to stand trial, which in the state of Colorado, means he must be released from custody, Padden's office told Fox News Digital earlier this month.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
22 July 2025
-
Malfunctioning surveillance equipment, conveniently incompetent jail staff, and statements from individuals such as the mayor of New York and Epstein’s brother played roles in fomenting this coalition.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
18 July 2025
Adjective
-
Colonel McCall ruled that a fifth defendant, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, was mentally unfit to face trial, and severed him from the case.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
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The station said years later, federal prosecutors tried to refute her claims of being medically unfit, arguing a surveillance video showed Austin walking in and out of a salon without help.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
In contrast, the EB-3 category is designed for skilled workers with at least two years of experience, professionals with a bachelor's degree, and other workers in unskilled positions requiring less than two years of training.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
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On its website, Austin Disaster Relief Network posts daily needs, from call-center operators and coordinators to skilled and unskilled labor for demolition.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
13 July 2025
Adjective
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An advance healthcare directive wouldn’t take effect unless your adult child were incapable of making decisions on their own.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
30 July 2025
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The value of a public office not to be sold, is incapable of being ascertained; and the applicant has a right to the office itself, or to nothing.—
Liz Tracey,
JSTOR Daily,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unskillful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unskillful. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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