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expert

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adjective

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an expert fisherman
an experienced fisherman
a pro fisherman
an excellent fisherman
an accomplished fisherman
a skilled fisherman
an expert doctor
an exceptional doctor
a knowledgeable doctor
a smart doctor
a specialized doctor
a superb doctor
an expert author
a professional author
an advanced author
a premier author
an esteemed author
a proficient author
an expert individual
an elite individual
an exceptional individual
an exemplary individual
an extraordinary individual
a special individual
an expert critic
a qualified critic
a superior critic
an elite critic
a senior critic
an official critic

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
Brighton and Hove Albion have become experts at it. Steve Madeley, New York Times, 9 July 2025 As content generated by artificial intelligence becomes more common, experts warn that tactics for spreading misinformation are only going to get more sophisticated—and harder to catch. Simmone Shah, Time, 9 July 2025
Adjective
And last month, Kennedy dismissed an expert panel of vaccine advisers that has historically guided the federal government’s vaccine recommendations, a move that concerned public health officials across the country. Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 5 July 2025 But fear not, there are also expert judges on hand. Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for expert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expert
Noun
  • Learn how to meal prep like a pro, create quick and nutritious grab-and-go options, and master time-saving hacks that keep you energized without the morning chaos.
    Essence, Essence, 6 July 2025
  • Upper Buffalo Land Becomes Wilderness Area Tom Foti is a master botanist and former ecologist/research chief at the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 6 July 2025
Adjective
  • Despite being made by skilled artisans on the Sicilian coast and designed in Sydney, the U.S. market is already one of its main drivers, its founder and interior designer Isabella Wilde said.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 9 July 2025
  • While advanced data analytics can flag some of these anomalies, a skilled negotiator with full market visibility can go deeper.
    Eric Steele, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • After that, our Senior Beauty Editor Akili King hosted a panel with beauty gurus Amber Nicole, Princess Rese, and Kristen Noel Crawley about representation and the definition of beauty.
    India Espy-Jones, Essence, 5 July 2025
  • The mobile network carriers were also excited by the Moto X, though at least partly for self-serving reasons, according to Randall, the supply chain guru.
    Verne Kopytoff, Fortune, 5 July 2025
Adjective
  • Finnegans Wake, in his skillful hands, is a tapestry of all the works Joyce ever wrote, the final and protracted project of a writer who could never stop thinking about Ireland.
    Eric Bulson, The Atlantic, 16 June 2025
  • Their smart, aggressive defense disorients even the smoothest spacing and the most skillful shooters.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • The Arts District Liberty Station has long been adept at adaptive reuse and historic building management, while Cygnet Theatre has a 22-year history of building relationships in the arts community, along with a dedicated patron base.
    R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • The legal profession has long been adept at guarding its business model, so such changes are likely not on the immediate horizon.
    Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • He’s been a glamorous Visual Kei rock star, a classical composer, a virtuoso behind the drum kit, a producer and label owner and entrepreneur, and now, more than ever, an impresario.
    Steve Appleford, Variety, 17 June 2025
  • Little Feat, the archetypal ’70s band originally formed by Lowell George — a guitar virtuoso fired from the Mothers of Invention by Frank Zappa — has survived years of breakups, drug problems and even George’s untimely death in 1979.
    Dave Brooks, Billboard, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • This particular weather issue did not deter Hermés' artistic director Veronique Nichanian from proposing extremely lightweight and smooth like butter leather dressing for the upcoming season, perhaps the ultimate luxury to wear lambskins, while fabrics like linen seem obvious.
    Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • The production will be directed by The Old Vic’s artistic director Matthew Warchus (Groundhog Day, Pride) in his final season before stopping down in September 2026.
    Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • About 30% of our kids are proficient in math and reading.
    Siena Duncan, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025
  • Content creation needs prompts, quality control guardrails and a proficient human editor.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Expert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expert. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

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