SKILLFULNESSES Synonyms: 171 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

skillful 1 of 2

adjective

ˈskil-fəl

Definition of skillful

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

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

skillfulness

2 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

The movie is great as an adult, with its double entendres and skillful acting. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 Fortunately, her protégées—her grandnieces and other female students in the village—are skillful artists in their own right. — Marisol Delarosa, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 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

Every day, the virtuoso violinist plays for an audience of travelers, with his stage in the pedestrian tunnel that links the CTA and parking garages to the terminals.

— Noel Brennan, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Through 107 career games, Minten’s profile has leaned more toward dependable cello player than virtuoso first violinist.

— Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of virtuoso

Adjective

Trump’s notoriety for corruption may finally be eclipsing his populist appeal, and even rhetoricians as skilled as Jennings have difficulty making a case for him.

— Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
Provincial officials are counting on the project to deliver billions of dollars in investment, highly skilled jobs and a market for surplus wind power.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of skilled

Adjective

Miami, which isn’ t adept at game-winning situations, isn’t yet ready to win this type of game.

— Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
As riot police have adapted their tactics and weapons, demonstrators have become adept at anticipating police maneuvers and exploiting gaps in security.

— Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of adept

Adjective

Rather than taking advantage of the expert's knowledge, agents tended to compromise between expert and non-expert opinions.

— Trevor Laurence Jockims, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2026
Watson reminded the jury that Martin was paid by the defense team for his testimony and that his expert opinion was given without the benefit of the cell phone data police relied on.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of expert

Adjective

Meanwhile, the percentage of English language learners who were proficient in science, also as measured by the ACT, went up by more than 4 percentage points.

— Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026
Organizations need periods when employees can become proficient with new systems, develop confidence in unfamiliar procedures and actually experience the benefits of changes already introduced.

— Jason Richmond, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of proficient

Adjective

Sponsored by SoundMerch, the AMP lauds the outstanding Australian albums based on artistic merit rather than commercial sales.

— Lars Brandle, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2026
Set in 1970s Los Angeles, the musical explores family, artistic ambition and the uneasy passage of cultural knowledge from one generation to the next.

— James C. Taylor, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of artistic

Adjective

Humans can safely eat them too — be careful and only with the guidance of an experienced forager who eats the first one.

— Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 8 Nov. 2026
There are plenty of experienced Latino leaders ready to serve in the Cabinet, as chiefs of staff, and in positions shaping budgets and policy.

— Jose M. Muñoz, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026

Definition of experienced

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“Skillful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skillful. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of skillful

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noun

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