Synonym Chooser

How is the word skilled distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of skilled are adept, expert, proficient, and skillful. While all these words mean "having great knowledge and experience in a trade or profession," skilled stresses mastery of technique.

a skilled surgeon

When might adept be a better fit than skilled?

The synonyms adept and skilled are sometimes interchangeable, but adept implies special aptitude as well as proficiency.

adept at doing long division

When can expert be used instead of skilled?

The meanings of expert and skilled largely overlap; however, expert implies extraordinary proficiency and often connotes knowledge as well as technical skill.

expert in the evaluation of wines

When is it sensible to use proficient instead of skilled?

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

proficient in translating foreign languages

When could skillful be used to replace skilled?

While in some cases nearly identical to skilled, 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 skilled Sallis enters the professional ranks as a skilled guard with a smooth mid-range game, defensive versatility, room to grow as a shooter and playmaker and potential to develop in an NBA organization. Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 27 June 2025 The skilled ventriloquist, who turned to the art form after an injury ended her dance career, approached every moment with magic that is rarely seen today. Angela Andaloro, People.com, 26 June 2025 Spike’s father, Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), believes that the lad is old enough, and sufficiently skilled with a bow and arrow, to make his first trip off the island. Justin Chang, New Yorker, 25 June 2025 These eagles are skilled soarers, often riding thermal updrafts to reach extreme heights. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for skilled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skilled
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
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
Adjective
  • The society says that experienced observers may see about one fireball bright enough to be spotted in the day for every 200 hours of meteor observing.
    James Powel, USA Today, 27 June 2025
  • Today someone older or more experienced might have advice for you.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Do the expert speakers have seats and water at their disposal? Are the speaking notes or teleprompters in place?
    Adrian Dearnell, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • Wing will share practical tools and give expert insight on keeping families safe from online predators, cyber-bullying, digital threats and more.
    Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 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
  • Lurking in one of the aisles, a man quietly slipped an incendiary device, made from a cigarette, matches, and paper, into a section displaying foam rubber, with practiced ease.
    JP Mangalindan, Time, 4 June 2025
  • She was born in Massachusetts to Nigerian immigrants and, as a teen, was an exceptional figure skater: one who could land double axels with a practiced ease that betrayed the intense commitment behind them.
    Daron James, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Skilled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skilled. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on skilled

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