as in skilled
having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor
he's an adept pitcher, and the team is lucky to have him
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in expert
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field
even by the standards of Washington, he's an adept at political intrigue and power politics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of adept
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
The Padres have certainly proved adept at prospect churn.
—Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2026
Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
In the Meiji era (1868–1912), Japanese leaders built a state adept at absorbing Western know-how—drawing especially on the United Kingdom—by creating a national translation bureau, importing thousands of foreign instructors, and standardizing a technical vocabulary.
—Carl Benedikt Frey, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adept
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
Noun
He was investigated by the SS on the orders of Heinrich Himmler but convinced his investigators, all adepts of Deutsche Physik, that he was engaged in worthwhile teaching and research.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
In the Meiji era (1868–1912), Japanese leaders built a state adept at absorbing Western know-how—drawing especially on the United Kingdom—by creating a national translation bureau, importing thousands of foreign instructors, and standardizing a technical vocabulary.
—Carl Benedikt Frey, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adept
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adept
Adjective
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The participants range from marine and freshwater biologists and other scientists to highly skilled recreational divers and documentary filmmakers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
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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
Noun
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Elder law experts warn that the best protection against uncertainty, exploitation or government infringement of your independence is to plan ahead, early and often.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
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For its 310 students and more than 80 children from infants to toddlers, Greenland represents a second chance at school that is free from stigma and, experts say, a model for how young mothers can be reintegrated into education.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Newport’s skillful direction drives the more than 3½-hour play (including two intermissions), making every minute count.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
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Finnish native Margareta Martin brought enthusiasm and skillful organizing following a move to Atlanta, a dynamic that helped establish a wide variety of cultural, business, artistic and culinary links between the Nordic world and here.—
Mark Woolsey,
AJC.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Great science-fiction writers, almost by definition, are masters of cognitive estrangement.—
Stephanie Burt,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Insider experiences include a tour of a private palazzo by a prince no less, a painting class inspired by Caravaggio, and a master class in mixing the perfect aperitivo by resident masters.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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That prospect would likely be a proficient pass-catcher who can complement Tremble in two-tight end sets.—
Mike Kaye
March 26,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
-
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
Noun
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While the 1930s and 1940s did see some instances of carnival poking fun at the tyranny of the Nazi regime (none of which, it should be noted, went unpunished), Birdsall and other scholars maintain that the festival was, first and foremost, an avenue for propaganda.—
Tim Brinkhof,
JSTOR Daily,
1 Apr. 2026
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But while the Supreme Court has historically been deferential to presidents on immigration issues, defining who is an American by birth is different, according to longtime immigration law scholar Stephen Yale-Loehr.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But a northern climate, stringent building codes, and the gauntlet of public review shouldn’t exclude the immense trove of experienced professionals who have worked in big, dense cities that are more similar to than different from ours.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
1 Apr. 2026
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One qualitative study found women were more likely to retire early because of fatigue, with lasting consequences for retirement income and for workplaces losing experienced people at their peak.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Also appearing on the album are American composer Elliot Cole on synthesizer, French composer Benoit Rolland on electro-acoustics and Bangladeshi tabla virtuoso Mir Naqibul Islam.—
Arts Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
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The popular hits will be performed by a 20-piece orchestra, with arrangements written by Juilliard cello virtuoso Dave Eggar and conductor Chuck Palmer.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Adept.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adept. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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