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 Many of the Koreans at the site are construction workers or skilled technicians, James Rim, president of the Korean-American Association of Southeast Georgia, says. Gustavo Valdés, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025 That third party might be a therapist, a religious leader or a friend who is skilled at remaining neutral and asking questions. R Eric Thomas, Baltimore Sun, 13 Aug. 2025 That kind of determination and sacrifice is tough to find in a person, let alone a talented videographer who was also a skilled hunter in his own right. Scott Haugen, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2025 The company could also serve as a magnet for high skilled and high wage labor and lead to spinoff companies, the city’s presentation said. Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for skilled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skilled
Adjective
  • The big picture viewpoint is that there will be some LLMs that are less proficient in certain ways, and others that are more proficient in other ways.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • About 56% of CMS students were proficient on statewide exams this year — 3 percentage points better than last year.
    Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Bilgin is clearly adept at creating beach clubs that stand out from the rest.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2025
  • This toner is adept at restoring moisture post-cleanse, according to our tester, whose skin skews dry.
    Esme Benjamin, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Before Park came in, United had signed just two players, albeit two highly experienced Champions League individuals in Sweden’s Julia Zigiotti Olme and Fridolina Rolfo.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
  • But placing unfinished or untested writing in front of the eyes of other experienced and respected writers actually takes courage.
    Beverly Gologorsky September 5, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Our expert reviews of JBL headphones consistently praises the brand for balancing strong sound with everyday value, and this pair fits right into that category.
    Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Subscribe to the Life Kit newsletter for expert advice on love, money, relationships and more.
    September 11, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The music industry – any field in entertainment, actually – can be fraught with exciting parties, events, and the spoils that come with hitting it big, but all of these things have spelled the downfall for too many talented artists.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The Ravens made an argument for the NFL’s most talented team.
    Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The more success rolled, the more damage done, the more skillful the hack and so on.
    Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Powell, skillful at opaque Fed-speak, nonetheless signaled a simulative change is likely.
    Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • To the practiced eyes of some observers, there are obvious clues that AI was used to produce the video.
    Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
  • Now, Lavrov is such a practiced liar, he's been doing this for decades.
    NBC news, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Skilled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skilled. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on skilled

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