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Definition of skillfulnext
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skillfulness

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word skillful distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of skillful are adept, expert, proficient, and skilled. While all these words mean "having great knowledge and experience in a trade or profession," skillful implies individual dexterity in execution or performance.

skillful drivers

In what contexts can adept take the place of skillful?

While in some cases nearly identical to skillful, adept implies special aptitude as well as proficiency.

adept at doing long division

When is it sensible to use expert instead of skillful?

Although the words expert and skillful have much in common, expert implies extraordinary proficiency and often connotes knowledge as well as technical skill.

expert in the evaluation of wines

When would proficient be a good substitute for skillful?

The synonyms proficient and skillful are sometimes interchangeable, but proficient implies a thorough competence derived from training and practice.

proficient in translating foreign languages

When might skilled be a better fit than skillful?

While the synonyms skilled and skillful are close in meaning, skilled stresses mastery of technique.

a skilled surgeon

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 skillful
Adjective
Miami coach Mario Cristobal is known for his skillful recruiting of top prospects. Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026 And can that leader evolve and morph over time, hopefully becoming more skillful. Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026
Noun
After taking over hosting duties from Padma Lakshmi in season 21, Kish is now the undeniable face of the series, one that represents the continuously evolving future of its programming, which prioritizes culinary skillfulness. Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 21 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for skillful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skillful
Adjective
  • Thanks to more than 200 years of intense and virtuoso scientific work, what were once valid or at least plausible concerns and objections to vaccines have been overcome.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
  • A lot of the movie feels like a virtuoso chase sequence, people barreling down the road, guns blazing.
    Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026
Adjective
  • Olise had a right-footer from the top of the box in the opening 10 minutes that required a skilled save from goalkeeper Egil Selvik.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 27 June 2026
  • Dashboards can help surface anomalies, a concentration ratio above target or a revenue trend breaking from projection, but a skilled investor still has to ask whether that pattern signals product-market fit or vulnerability.
    Peter Doyle, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • Come for the subtle performances and Agnès Godard’s masterful cinematography; stay for one of the greatest endings in movie history.
    Liam Hess, Vogue, 28 June 2026
  • Long-form, famously practiced by the masterful TJ Jagodowski and David Pasquesi (coming soon to the Goodman Theatre), features performers who can spin one line of dialogue, or merely a location, into a spontaneous hour.
    Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • Officials have grown increasingly concerned since Anthropic warned earlier this year that its Mythos model was adept at finding software flaws in a way that could be weaponized by malicious hackers and threaten critical computer networks around the world.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 June 2026
  • Do this regularly; teenagers are adept at reversing settings the moment your back is turned.
    Dr. Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • For full daily and monthly horoscopes as well as expert readings, see our full Horoscopes experience.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 24 June 2026
  • And TickEncounter has a free tick identification program that allows users to submit a photograph of their tick and get an expert ID, usually within 24 hours.
    Kate Wong, Scientific American, 22 June 2026
Adjective
  • As the sophomore season begins, airbending Avatar Aang (Gordon Cormier) has become proficient in waterbending, and spends most of the season learning earthbending.
    Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
  • The groups challenging the restriction said the state law prevents social service organizations from helping voters with disabilities or those who are not proficient in English, a conflict with the Voting Rights Act.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 21 June 2026
Adjective
  • Expanding on the character designs, Hirota underlined the quirky looks and the singularity of his artistic direction, directly inspired by child’s play and faulty craft.
    Kevin Giraud, Variety, 22 June 2026
  • Concrete is a durable, moldable material that makes each piece artistic and weather-resistant.
    Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 22 June 2026
Adjective
  • From congested lines for TSA screenings to ever-changing departure times and hard-to-find gates, airports can trip up even the most experienced travelers.
    Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 25 June 2026
  • Detaille argues that the next wave of premium storytelling could come from pairing online-native creators with experienced film and television writers, producers and executives.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 24 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Skillful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skillful. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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