as in skilled
having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor
he's an adept pitcher, and the team is lucky to have him
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in expert
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field
even by the standards of Washington, he's an adept at political intrigue and power politics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of adept
Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026
Soft-spoken in person, Jefferson was extraordinarily adept at communicating emotion on the page.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
In the Meiji era (1868–1912), Japanese leaders built a state adept at absorbing Western know-how—drawing especially on the United Kingdom—by creating a national translation bureau, importing thousands of foreign instructors, and standardizing a technical vocabulary.
—Carl Benedikt Frey, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adept
Adjective
Others might not be as adept at doing so.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026
Soft-spoken in person, Jefferson was extraordinarily adept at communicating emotion on the page.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
He was investigated by the SS on the orders of Heinrich Himmler but convinced his investigators, all adepts of Deutsche Physik, that he was engaged in worthwhile teaching and research.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
In the Meiji era (1868–1912), Japanese leaders built a state adept at absorbing Western know-how—drawing especially on the United Kingdom—by creating a national translation bureau, importing thousands of foreign instructors, and standardizing a technical vocabulary.
—Carl Benedikt Frey, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adept
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adept
Adjective
-
That said, Klint Kubiak does have a huge ace in the hole with the most skilled offensive player on the field in the league’s leading receiver, Jaxon Smith-Njigba.—
Hank Gola,
New York Daily News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The contest was a great battle between two very skilled teams.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There's no exact cause known for the rise in cancers among young people, according to experts, but researchers are trying to figure it out.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Overall, however, experts say there is little regulatory oversight for baby foods sold in the United States.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
During her tenure at UTA, her skillful agenting has shaped and built the careers of so many iconic talents.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2026
-
She is remembered as a gifted painter and skillful in pastels, in addition to being an avid supporter of philanthropic causes and frequent golfer, finding both love and frustration in the sport, her family says.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The center will introduce a new bachelor’s degree in space physics and data science, and a new fast-track master’s degree.—
Samuel O’Neal
February 10,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Holmes, the master scholar-biographer of Coleridge and Shelley, is ideally qualified for such a gig.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The test, given in 2024, revealed that only 22% of 8th graders scored at or above proficient in reading.—
Larry Sand,
Daily News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
On the National Assessment of Educational Progress exam, only 29% of California 4th-graders and 25% of 8th-graders scored proficient in reading and math.—
Jill Stegman,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In the face of widespread pessimism about the political fate of the United States and growing political polarization, scholars and citizens across the country are reimagining how American democracy could better serve the needs of the whole population.—
Jennifer Lynn McCoy,
The Conversation,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Obviously, as a scholar of the reality-television arts and sciences, this final reason is the most interesting to me.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Galanti said that uncertainty is why infrequent travelers are often more prone to anxiety than experienced ones.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
-
As for options, Chock is an experienced designer and has designed costumes for the Spain and Georgia national teams, while Bates loves to golf.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Suffused with dread and bathed in reverb, the record captures two virtuosos at their most vulnerable.—
Paul A. Thompson,
Pitchfork,
23 Jan. 2026
-
And the first half was a virtuoso blend of aggressiveness and controlling tempo from Payton, as Nix had a couple of deep shots to Marvin Mims and Lil'Jordan Humphrey, but also controlled the game with his legs.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
18 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adept.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adept. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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