1
as in inexperienced
lacking or showing a lack of expert skill
an unskilled handling of the facial features in the portrait explains why it is attributed to "school of Velázquez" and not to the master himself
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in incompetent
lacking qualities (as knowledge, skill, or ability) required to do a job
hired unskilled workers because they would work for lower wages
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unskilled
An oligarchic economy emerged in the region, centered on mining, oil extraction, and railroads, which, like the cotton economy of the South, depended on lots of capital and masses of unskilled workers.
—
Heather Cox Richardson, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2020
With a background in education, Westhoff and Masood came up with the idea of a hybrid, online and offline, academy that would train up unskilled workers - many of them migrants - who might otherwise be working in fast food outlets or for delivery firms.
—Trevor Clawson, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Fritz could acquire land near the city, hire both skilled and unskilled labor, and insert his new company in the trade and finance links the city had with the outside world, thanks to the social capital present in the city and his access to it.
—Peter Vanham, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2024
The researchers use a number of examples: the toolmaking done by our primate relatives, asking unskilled humans to make a stone tool, and random chipping of rocks.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 18 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for unskilled 
Heather Cox Richardson, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2020
With a background in education, Westhoff and Masood came up with the idea of a hybrid, online and offline, academy that would train up unskilled workers - many of them migrants - who might otherwise be working in fast food outlets or for delivery firms.
—Trevor Clawson, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Fritz could acquire land near the city, hire both skilled and unskilled labor, and insert his new company in the trade and finance links the city had with the outside world, thanks to the social capital present in the city and his access to it.
—Peter Vanham, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2024
The researchers use a number of examples: the toolmaking done by our primate relatives, asking unskilled humans to make a stone tool, and random chipping of rocks.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 18 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for unskilled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unskilled
Adjective
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And the protections shouldn't be such that someone who's incompetent is allowed to stay in a job.—
Mo Rocca,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2025
-
The agency found Cardwell was grossly incompetent, but investigators declined to pursue criminal charges.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Miami Herald,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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There are another 10 or so, such as Lil Joe, who are unfit for release after difficult histories.—
Kevin Spear,
Orlando Sentinel,
19 Jan. 2025
-
Lee Monroe Straight-leg Jeans $43 $28 at Amazon Denim is notoriously unfit for traveling in, but reviewers say these Lee jeans are an exception.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
One man allegedly unloaded his pistol into Mary, only to find that the bullets were incapable of penetrating her thick hide.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
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In the 1980s, Washington was seized by the worry that American industry was incapable of competing with Japan’s economic juggernaut.—
Jude Blanchette,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near unskilled
Cite this Entry
“Unskilled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unskilled. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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