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Some common synonyms of skilled<\/em> are adept<\/em><\/a>, expert<\/em><\/a>, proficient<\/em><\/a>, and skillful<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"having great knowledge and experience in a trade or profession,\" skilled<\/em> stresses mastery of technique.<\/p>

\/\/ a skilled<\/em> surgeon<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'adept' be a better fit than 'skilled'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms adept<\/em><\/a> and skilled<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but adept<\/em> implies special aptitude as well as proficiency.<\/p>

\/\/ adept<\/em> at doing long division<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'expert' be used instead of 'skilled'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of expert<\/em><\/a> and skilled<\/em> largely overlap; however, expert<\/em> implies extraordinary proficiency and often connotes knowledge as well as technical skill.<\/p>

\/\/ expert<\/em> in the evaluation of wines<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'proficient' instead of 'skilled'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words proficient<\/em><\/a> and skilled<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, proficient<\/em> implies a thorough competence derived from training and practice.<\/p>

\/\/ proficient<\/em> in translating foreign languages<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'skillful' be used to replace 'skilled'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to skilled<\/em>, skillful<\/em><\/a> implies individual dexterity in execution or performance.<\/p>

\/\/ skillful<\/em> drivers<\/p>" } } ] }

skilled

adjective

ˈskild How to pronounce skilled (audio)
Definition of skillednext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 skilled As the average age of skilled denim artisans continues to rise, the industry faces an impending crisis. —Jessica Binns, Sourcing Journal, 18 Mar. 2026 In the hands of such a skilled and smart actress, Grace was no superwoman but had layers. —Michael Ordoña, San Francisco Chronicle, 18 Mar. 2026 Some, like Guevarra, are in high-skilled jobs in health care and business – but the vast majority work in critical, mostly invisible, jobs that quietly keep the luxury societies of the region humming. —Ashley Westerman, NPR, 17 Mar. 2026 Build and attract skilled workers Texas’ nearly 90% high school graduation rate surpasses the national average, according to an August 2025 Dallas Fed report. —Wilborn P. Nobles Iii, Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for skilled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skilled
  1. proficient
  2. adept
  3. experienced
  4. expert
  5. talented
  6. skillful
Adjective
  • In addition to those four languages, the registrar is recruiting workers who are proficient in Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, Vietnamese, Tagalog or other languages.
    — Linh Tat, Daily News, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Maria is proficient on both guitar and marching snare drum, demonstrating strong technical skill, musical awareness, and adaptability across different musical styles and settings.
    — Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of proficient
Adjective
  • Even if the film doesn’t co-sign her ideology, Ursula is the most nuanced of the ruthless killers, and Gellar is adept at digging into the character’s ambiguity and shifting priorities.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
  • The Padres have certainly proved adept at prospect churn.
    — Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of adept
Adjective
  • Iowa coach Ben McCollum said the first- and second-round showing for the conference speaks to its amount of skilled players and experienced coaches.
    — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
  • In fact, calmer conditions often made trips more accessible for families and less experienced rafters, according to Bradford.
    — Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of experienced
Adjective
  • For full daily and monthly horoscopes as well as expert readings, see our full Horoscopes experience.
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Subscribe to the Life Kit newsletter for expert advice on love, money, relationships and more.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of expert
Adjective
  • Nevertheless, there was a clear sense that there was some intangible missing element that prevented those talented teams from reaching the league summit.
    — Raymond Daniel Burke, Baltimore Sun, 23 Mar. 2026
  • The Gophers football program boasts a retention rate ranked in the top 10 in the nation, but Minnesota lost one its most recognizable and talented players to the NCAA transfer portal in January.
    — Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of talented
Adjective
  • Ryan plays a character who’s unbelievably skillful and unbelievably scared.
    — Mike Ryan, IndieWire, 12 Mar. 2026
  • That was so skillful and subtle.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of skillful

Browse Nearby Words

skill
skilled
skillful
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Cite this Entry

“Skilled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skilled. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on skilled

Nglish: Translation of skilled for Spanish Speakers

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