Synonyms of skilled

skilled

adjective

ˈskild 

as in proficient

having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor

a delicate brain operation requiring the services of a highly skilled surgeon

Synonyms & Similar Words

• proficient
• adept
• experienced
• expert
• talented
• skillful
• practiced
• educated
• good
• accomplished
• veteran
• gifted
• great
• masterful
• master
• virtuoso
• versed
• capable
• professed
• consummate
• masterly
• competent
• complete
• ace
• trained
• crackerjack
• employable
• crack
• qualified
• efficient
• adroit
• effective
• dexterous
• clever
• compleat
• deft
• polished
• knowledgeable
• handy
• able
• taught
• old
• slick
• schooled
• workmanlike
• refined
• effectual
• fitted
• sure-handed
• well-rounded
• fit
• long-term
• multitalented
• multiskilled
• tutored
• habile
• all-around

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unskilled
• inexperienced
• amateur
• incompetent
• incapable
• inexpert
• unable
• weak
• unqualified
• inept
• unprofessional
• amateurish
• unseasoned
• unskillful
• unfit
• crude
• unfitted
• inefficient
• ineffective
• artless
• rude
• would-be
• ineffectual
• untrained
• inexperienced
• ignorant
• jackleg
• untalented
• new
• beginning
• unschooled
• untutored
• untaught
• green
• raw
• primitive
• untested
• unseasoned
• untried
• ungifted
• talentless
• unpolished
• rough
• clumsy
• awkward
• heavy-handed
• ham-fisted
• ham-handed

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

Recent Examples of skilled

Sessions will highlight how skilled amateur astronomers are contributing to frontline research, while workshops and networking events aim to support early-career scientists navigating an evolving research landscape. —Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 5 Jan. 2026

Proposal 5 was actually a bit of skilled electoral craft on the part of the city’s map functionaries. —Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 4 Jan. 2026

Very skilled, high intelligent kid. —Matt Byrne, Arkansas Online, 2 Jan. 2026

Aside from non-medical personal care assistants, an intake coordinator said that there are currently no skilled nurses available, as advertised, and recommended seeking private-duty nursing services elsewhere in Minnesota. —Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 1 Jan. 2026