1
as in virtuoso
accomplished with trained ability
the ice skater performed a skillful and graceful series of jumps
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in skilled
having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor
performance testing of automobiles that should be done only by skillful drivers on a closed course
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in skill
subtle or imaginative ability in inventing, devising, or executing something
the skillfulness with which she handled that touchy situation is indeed admirable
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skillful
Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025
As if that wasn’t enough, Twenty One Pilots also continues to demonstrate a skillful way of designing TikTok- and Instagram story-ready moments for fans of all flavors.
—Theoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2025
Ragnar is one of the very best Nordic crime writers, as skillful in thrillers like this series as in murder mystery stories.
—Anders De La Motte, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
Setting boundaries requires a balance of self-awareness and skillful communication.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skillful
Adjective
The ability to win puck battles in dirty areas and make skillful plays in tight spaces is still there.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025
As if that wasn’t enough, Twenty One Pilots also continues to demonstrate a skillful way of designing TikTok- and Instagram story-ready moments for fans of all flavors.
—Theoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Oct. 2025
Ragnar is one of the very best Nordic crime writers, as skillful in thrillers like this series as in murder mystery stories.
—Anders De La Motte, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
Setting boundaries requires a balance of self-awareness and skillful communication.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skillful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skillful
Adjective
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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
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No army in history seemed ever to have been more ragged and motley and mongrel and polyglot than the Continental, rich and poor, learned and illiterate, from boys to old men, skilled and unskilled, born all over the world, speaking dozens of languages, believing in different gods and in no god.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
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China is increasingly leading the US as the center of global research, and cuts and restrictions on skilled migration are hampering Washington’s fightback.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Investopedia defines it as a job done outside the office, typically requiring manual labor or skills in a particular trade.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
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Fisher-Price 4-in-1 Activity Table Foster your little one’s motor skills with this activity table that allows babies ages 6 months and up to flip, slide, roll, spin, and press the buttons, wheels, and lights.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Detroit rebounded and put together a masterful offensive performance in a win over the Washington Commanders.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
10 Nov. 2025
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Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles is masterful at finding ways to pressure young quarterbacks.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Beath attempted to get the adept electrician to comment on the crash.—
Mark Gray,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
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This year, job advertisements have been soaring for a new specialist software developer who can write code, but also is adept at talking to customers.—
John Kell,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Plus, an expert PEOPLE editor answers the burning question of the week, and one of our favorite stars joins us for a sitdown.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
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For full daily and monthly horoscopes as well as expert readings, see our full Horoscopes experience.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Being a proficient reader by the end of the third grade is a significant milestone, marked by many experts as a crucial point in a child’s life where not reaching that benchmark could lead to them struggling later in life.—
Caroline Beck,
IndyStar,
5 Nov. 2025
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From techniques like deep-plane facelifts to the use of innovations such as tranexamic acid for safer, more technically proficient procedures, the field continues to evolve toward precision and care.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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White gave props to some other iconic duos — representing non-musical disciplines — that preceded the White Stripes onto the national artistic stage.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
9 Nov. 2025
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Beginning in 2004, the zAmya Theater Project connects communities throughout the Twin Cities to theater and artistic expression, centering on social justice, advocacy and collaboration, according to its website.—
Sophia Arndt,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skillful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skillful. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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