1
as in virtuoso
accomplished with trained ability
the ice skater performed a skillful and graceful series of jumps
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
His actors ever game and skillful would, upon Bob’s suggestions and their imaginations, would turn their bodies into the letter G or throw up their arms like the wings of a crow and open their mouths in a silent scream….
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 18 Aug. 2025
The result is a skillful balance between dewy and glossy, blushy and gleamy.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for skillful
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
His actors ever game and skillful would, upon Bob’s suggestions and their imaginations, would turn their bodies into the letter G or throw up their arms like the wings of a crow and open their mouths in a silent scream….
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 18 Aug. 2025
The result is a skillful balance between dewy and glossy, blushy and gleamy.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for skillful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skillful
Adjective
-
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
-
The Magnificent Seven are also skilled innovators, Cramer continued.—
Julie Coleman,
CNBC,
15 Sep. 2025
-
According to a McKinsey Digital survey, 60% of companies agree that the lack of skilled IT professionals is the primary barrier to deploying complex technologies.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Both injuries have significant implications for fantasy, as Jacory Croskey-Merritt is assured more touches in Washington moving forward; in Green Bay, Matthew Golden will have more chances to show his skills with Reed out in Week 3 and beyond.—
Jess Bryant,
New York Times,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Now, a rapidly changing world has little patience for those whose skills don’t swiftly evolve or adapt.—
Dr. Jonathan Reichental,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Seville is known for having excellent regular-season races and running masterful rounds in major championships.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Hijabs Off is a masterful special that Johnson’s career has been building toward for years.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Maria is a wonderfully textured character, at turns flinty and cold and vivacious and funny, and Maura is adept at embodying all sides to this woman.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
13 Sep. 2025
-
And when complexity requires a live agent, that agent must be skilled, experienced, and adept at problem-solving, pointing back to the value of gig workers.—
Gary Drenik,
Forbes.com,
11 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 future suggests that the AI will be improved such that the code is perfect at the get-go, or the AI is proficient at squaring away the code that has been generated.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Advanced Cretaceous birds in the group Ornithothoraces, which includes the Prince Creek specimens, are in many ways the first birds with an unquestionably proficient flight apparatus.—
Kate Wong,
Scientific American,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Seth Rogen plays a Hollywood studio head torn between making artistic films and movies that will be a surefire commercial success, like a Kool-Aid movie.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Patricia Astorga, the artistic director and founder of DanzArts, said that people who were not Mexican could come to the celebration and see the culture and the dance styles of different regions of Mexico.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skillful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skillful. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share