EX PERTNESSES Synonyms: 168 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'expert' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of expert are adept , proficient , skilled , and skillful . While all these words mean "having great knowledge and experience in a trade or profession," expert implies extraordinary proficiency and often connotes knowledge as well as technical skill. // expert in the evaluation of wines

Q: In what contexts can 'adept' take the place of 'expert'?

The words adept and expert are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, adept implies special aptitude as well as proficiency. // adept at doing long division

Q: When is 'proficient' a more appropriate choice than 'expert'?

While the synonyms proficient and expert are close in meaning, proficient implies a thorough competence derived from training and practice. // proficient in translating foreign languages

Q: When could 'skilled' be used to replace 'expert'?

Although the words skilled and expert have much in common, skilled stresses mastery of technique. // a skilled surgeon

Q: When is it sensible to use 'skillful' instead of 'expert'?

In some situations, the words skillful and expert are roughly equivalent. However, skillful implies individual dexterity in execution or performance. // skillful drivers

expert 1 of 2

noun

ˈek-ˌspərt

Definition of expert next

as in master

a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field experts at the crime lab were able to tell the sex, race, and approximate age of the murderer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

expert

2 of 2

adjective

ˈek-ˌspərt

as in virtuoso

accomplished with trained ability to a serious collector, the expert carving on the duck decoy justifies its high price

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in skilled

having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor people interested in laser eye surgery are advised to seek out an expert practitioner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word expert distinct from other similar adjectives?

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

expert in the evaluation of wines

In what contexts can adept take the place of expert?

The words adept and expert are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, adept implies special aptitude as well as proficiency.

adept at doing long division

When is proficient a more appropriate choice than expert?

While the synonyms proficient and expert are close in meaning, proficient implies a thorough competence derived from training and practice.

proficient in translating foreign languages

When could skilled be used to replace expert?

Although the words skilled and expert have much in common, skilled stresses mastery of technique.

a skilled surgeon

When is it sensible to use skillful instead of expert?

In some situations, the words skillful and expert are roughly equivalent. 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 expert

Noun

Responding officers safely trapped the male bird until wildlife rehabilitation experts arrived and transported the eagle to an emergency veterinarian. —

Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026 One way to do that, according to the experts, is to go on vacation. —

Shayla Love, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026

Adjective

This level of oversight and focus is what separates expert DHI centers from clinics that merely advertise the technique. —

Daniel Fusch, jsonline.com, 13 Feb. 2026 Sign up for Ced’s Corner Sign up for Cedric Golden’s newsletter for hot takes and expert analysis each Tuesday on Texas Longhorns football and beyond. —

Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for expert

Recent Examples of Synonyms for expert

Noun

They were carved with patriotic love by a Texas sculptor who studied in Paris under a French modern master and envisioned as the polished centerpieces of a $10 million park, but now sit in a Virginia field as an offbeat, reservations-only, roadside tourist draw.

— Danielle Paquette The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Feb. 2026
Rick likens his son’s interactions with the media to those of Bill Belichick, the legendary football coach and master of the monosyllabic press conference.

— Tom Kludt, Vanity Fair, 17 Feb. 2026