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adept

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word adept distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of adept are expert, proficient, skilled, and skillful. While all these words mean "having great knowledge and experience in a trade or profession," adept implies special aptitude as well as proficiency.

adept at doing long division

When is it sensible to use expert instead of adept?

While in some cases nearly identical to adept, expert implies extraordinary proficiency and often connotes knowledge as well as technical skill.

expert in the evaluation of wines

When is proficient a more appropriate choice than adept?

In some situations, the words proficient and adept are roughly equivalent. However, proficient implies a thorough competence derived from training and practice.

proficient in translating foreign languages

In what contexts can skilled take the place of adept?

The words skilled and adept can be used in similar contexts, but skilled stresses mastery of technique.

a skilled surgeon

When might skillful be a better fit than adept?

The meanings of skillful and adept largely overlap; however, skillful implies individual dexterity in execution or performance.

skillful drivers

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 adept
Adjective
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 Gadsden was adept at making contested catches and receptions downfield. Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
Around him, dense as a swarm of tiny insects, float tiny images of fellow adepts engaged in all manner of outré shenanigans. Holland Cotter, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024 Naomi Goggin Switch to island time—and expect transportation snafus Even with two planners, and a bride adept at project management, there was one logistical hurdle that was tough to cross: local transportation. Kaitlin Menza, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for adept
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adept
Adjective
  • He has been credited as a skilled recruiter and defensive coordinator who contributed to the school reaching the NCAA Tournament in each of those seasons.
    Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Guests can savor artisanal cocktails crafted by skilled mixologists while enjoying live entertainment on select evenings, creating an unforgettable dining experience under the stars.
    Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Even if a patient doesn’t have the budget to meet their aesthetic treatment goals, an expert can at least guide them to best at-home skincare and practices.
    Dahvi Shira, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
  • Becker, the prosecutor, told the jury they are expected to hear testimony from an expert from the Taser and body-camera maker Axon Enterprise during the trial.
    Deena Zaru, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Being a manager requires being proficient at many skills, and with this incident, Snitker failed at all of them.
    Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Étoile shows extensive dance sequences, requiring the actors to also be proficient dancers.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Padova, his university city, is 20 kilometers from the floating city, and his masters thesis focused on subsidence in Venice.
    Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 4 May 2025
  • Jackson Simmonds, a master colorist and stylist in New York City, is the first to recommend at-home solutions that will keep his color clients covered (literally) for a bit longer between their visits to his chair.
    Jenny Berg, Allure, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • 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
Noun
  • Weiss said some scholars believe the prophecy was written in support of a cardinal who was campaigning to be the next pope.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 4 May 2025
  • Although the origins of the doctrine remain in some dispute, most scholars cite its first mention in ancient Roman law.
    Alexandra Klass, The Conversation, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • But the spokesperson did not say when the program's work would fully resume or how the work would continue without any of the experienced employees who have been laid off.
    Dr. Mark Abdelmalek, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Todd Stoll is an experienced performer, Duke Ellington expert, author, and educator.
    Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • During a pivotal moment of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club on Broadway, country virtuoso Orville Peck makes a bold choice.
    Stephen Daw, Billboard, 15 Apr. 2025
  • The jazz band includes some of the top young players in the state, led by teen saxophone virtuoso Kahlil Childs, who won the Jazz Excellence Organization’s Young Artist Grant.
    San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Adept.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adept. Accessed 13 May. 2025.

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