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expert

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adjective

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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
Meanwhile, health care industry experts have warned that, if funding from federal cuts isn’t restored, 145,000 jobs could disappear and hospitals may shutter services around the state. Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2025 That could require planning to avoid a giant tax hit in the final year, experts say. Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The new structure gives Microsoft rights to OpenAI’s IP for its models and products through 2032 and will extend Microsoft’s rights to OpenAI’s research methods through 2030 or until an independent expert panel verifies claims of AGI, if that happens sooner. Jared Perlo, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2025 Handpicked by the expert Vogue team, the collection will satisfy even the most discerning of skincare savants, wellness warriors, makeup maestros, hair aficionados and jewelry junkies. Ellie Davis, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for expert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expert
Noun
  • He was enrolled in a master’s program in biblical studies, but currently does not have lawful status in the country, officials said.
    Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 28 Oct. 2025
  • That’s cute, today’s masters of the universe will chuckle while patting your head.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Kirk Baxter’s arrhythmic cutting is designed around quicksilver shifts that, along with Barry Ackroyd’s restlessly attentive, mostly handheld camerawork, allow Bigelow to redirect our attention with virtuoso command.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • After inadvertently amassing a network of specialized experts, the startup has pivoted to hiring highly skilled professionals to train AI models.
    Jaures Yip, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Greenlight Alberta, which its creators say is the first of its kind in Canada, will see local professionals trained in key production roles, as an answer to the growing demand for skilled crew across the country.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Yann Gozlan’s psychological thriller Guru, which stars Pierre Niney as a charismatic and manipulative self-help guru, will close the festival this year.
    Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
  • But the actor turned wellness and lifestyle guru is bucking the norm—first, with that photo that shared skin texture and expression lines, and now by showing, not hiding, her grays.
    Veronica Cristino, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The skillful craftsmanship of the artists is amazing, and the story is also great.
    Billboard Japan, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Sarandos, who in shaping the era’s most successful Big Tech entrant to Hollywood has always been a skillful communicator, gave a telling answer.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Enemy fighters are surprisingly more adept than expected, especially at normal difficulty.
    Jason Fanelli, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Ski and snowboard lessons are crucial to becoming adept and safe on the slopes.
    John Meyer, Denver Post, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The apple-munching Euphoria actor slipped into Tilda Swinton’s plush period dress from the ravishing 1992 drama, joined by Jeff Goldblum, Wicked’s wizard himself, in sparkly Gucci.
    Radhika Seth, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Three years after their wonderfully creepy first feature film Coraline, the stop-motion wizards at Laika released this horror comedy about an 11-year-old boy who can communicate with the dead.
    Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Since their inception, the Wood Brothers have created a unique artistic world that combines Oliver’s deep love of rock, blues, and folk with Chris’ passion for jazz, classical, and improvisation, all aligning with the steadfast anchor of Rix’s percussive talents and sonic curiosity.
    Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2025
  • The beginning of a distinctly eastern artistic tradition The importance of Tunnug 1 extends beyond the extraordinary collection of artifacts.
    Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Expert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expert. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.

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