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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 The show’s real draw is its cast, which expands to include Matthew Rhys as a troubled detective, and a skillful adaptation that highlights the glossiest, cleverest elements of classic Christie—and adds a pinch of eros. Judy Berman, Time, 30 Apr. 2025 Then the animators could take over and finish the rest with their skillful photorealism. Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 18 Apr. 2025 Elegant materials, bespoke furnishings, skillful layering of textures, and eye-catching lighting are all hallmarks of Hogarty’s soulful spaces, and the firm seeks to create an emotional response with its polished yet comfortable aesthetic. Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 15 Apr. 2025 Hiring managers must learn to distinguish between misuse and skillful application to capture a candidate’s ability to tackle real-world challenges. Bing Yu Yap, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for skillful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skillful
Adjective
  • Deploying this type of technology at scale could not only help identify at-risk patients for proactive monitoring but also address the global need for medical professionals, with the U.S. alone requiring 122,000 skilled physicians by 2032.
    Max Votek, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • Reporter Kate Bartlett says Ramaphosa, a skilled negotiator who worked alongside Nelson Mandela to end apartheid, may appeal to Trump's transactional side and U.S. efforts to counter China in Africa.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • Elie’s masterful survey is a group portrait of artists and their fellow travelers who participated during a bloody crossroads in American life, when Ronald Reagan’s ascension to the White House in 1980 collapsed the walls between church and state, sparking a counterrevolution across the arts.
    Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
  • The series is being produced by Science Saru, which previously worked on anime series like Devilman Crybaby, Star Wars Visions, and Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, and it's been praised by fans and critics alike for its stunning production values, touching storytelling, and masterful animation.
    Oliver Brandt, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • This approach ensures not only a solid initial return but also ongoing growth in value as your organization becomes adept at harnessing the full potential of agentic AI.
    Sanjay Gidwani, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • The Chinese have been particularly adept at securing those supply chains, Allain noted.
    Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 6 May 2025
Adjective
  • Subscribe to the Life Kit newsletter for expert advice on love, money, relationships and more.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 21 May 2025
  • There won’t be a tipping point, because the other side is too expert at lying.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • As the size and complexity of solar assets increased, the provision of proficient O&M and asset management services became imperative for ensuring optimal performance.
    Joern Hackbarth, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
  • First, is the acknowledgment by the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education (the Kirwan Commission) that, per the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) 2021 assessment, only 35% of Grade 3-8 students are proficient in English, just 15% in math.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • Despite her formidable workload as Dior’s artistic director of women’s collections, Chiuri has also taken on a personal project: restoring a historic theater in her hometown.
    Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 14 May 2025
  • What sets Denim Première Vision apart is its unique format, blending exhibition spaces, artistic installations and exclusive content to foster dialogue and discovery.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • Again, this isn't a conventional model rocket so experienced rocketeers might scoff at it.
    Ian Stokes, Space.com, 23 May 2025
  • Funds like the iShares Global Clean Energy ETF attracted massive inflows, yet many investors who entered late experienced disappointing returns once valuations normalized.
    Gianluca Sidoti, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • The walls of the rectum (the inside of your butt) are delicate.
    Alexander Cheves, Them., 16 May 2025
  • This transformation requires a delicate balancing act.
    Miles Ward, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Skillful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skillful. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

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