SKILLFUL Synonyms: 119 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

adjective

ˈskil-fəl

Definition of skillful next

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

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

Synonym Chooser

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 There is also notable, skillful choreography from Niko Montelibano in the up-tempo songs that call for it. —

Christopher Smith, Orange County Register, 3 Feb. 2025 That proved to be a tall task in a city known for jazz, with a long roster of skillful players he’d be pitted against in auditions. —

Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2025 The live-to-film concert experience features a 70-person orchestra, a troupe of skillful dancers, state-of-the-art projection mapping images, and the Broadway show’s award-winning costumes and puppetry. —

Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2025 But Vancouver nonetheless controlled the second stanza of the contest — first levelling the score, and then taking the lead with a persistent, skillful shift on which Brock Boeser, Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson were able to combine for the key go-ahead goal. —

Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for skillful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for skillful

Adjective

The roster features skilled players who have to be ambitious enough to recognize the awareness of always being secondary in the show.

— Jason Jones, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025
The skilled stars perfectly strike the blend of comedic relief and moving moments of wisdom.

— Raven Brunner, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025