adept 1 of 2

adept

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word adept distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of adept are expert, proficient, skilled, and skillful. While all these words mean "having great knowledge and experience in a trade or profession," adept implies special aptitude as well as proficiency.

adept at doing long division

When is it sensible to use expert instead of adept?

While in some cases nearly identical to adept, expert implies extraordinary proficiency and often connotes knowledge as well as technical skill.

expert in the evaluation of wines

When is proficient a more appropriate choice than adept?

In some situations, the words proficient and adept are roughly equivalent. However, proficient implies a thorough competence derived from training and practice.

proficient in translating foreign languages

In what contexts can skilled take the place of adept?

The words skilled and adept can be used in similar contexts, but skilled stresses mastery of technique.

a skilled surgeon

When might skillful be a better fit than adept?

The meanings of skillful and adept largely overlap; however, 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 adept
Adjective
But the singer-songwriter is adept at funneling past pain into the present, and seems driven and solid in his creativity and life. Katherine Turman, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2025 He’s already proven adept at batting down his share of passes. Eddie Brown, The Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
Still though, the dietary differences alone aren’t sufficient to explain what makes snakes so evolutionary adept. Popular Science, 22 Feb. 2024 Arnold Schwarzenegger’s mission changes from ending the future of humanity to ensuring its survival, from killing the mother to protecting the son from an assassin adept at quicksilver. Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2023 See All Example Sentences for adept
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adept
Adjective
  • For those keeping track, her character – a highly skilled assassin – was a fundamental part of the superhero team known as the Avengers who gave her life in order to procure an Infinity Stone which ultimately defeated extraterrestrial supervillain Thanos and saved the universe.
    Dan Heching, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The best communicators are not just skilled speakers but also active listeners who understand the deeper layers of interaction.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In light of the recent measles outbreaks, experts emphasize the best way parents can protect themselves and their kids.
    Wendy Wisner, Parents, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Immigration law experts spoke with NPR about the case and why Khalil's status as a green card holder is significant.
    Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Six in 10 fourth graders aren't proficient in math, and seven in 10 can't read at the 4th grade level.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
  • But the most recent results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress paint a less promising picture with fourth grade reading at just 31% proficient and eighth grade math at 37%.
    Jim Cowen, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • This was just the beginning of how young tech masters worked on ways to share music across the internet.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Setting up trekking pole tents takes a little practice to master, but Lanshan’s convenient hook system makes the process easy.
    Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • His non-fiction book The Onion Field, published in 1973, would stand as, arguably, his literary masterpiece, a skillful telling of the true tale of a 1963 kidnapping of two LAPD officers and the brutal murder of one of them.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Hackman tamped down all of his gritty charm to embody a squirrely surveillance expert, again showcasing a skillful adaptability early in his career.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Newsweek has reached out to several legal scholars for comment via email on Sunday.
    Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Her fate remains one of literature’s most haunting unsolved mysteries, drawing the fascination of scholars, writers and literary enthusiasts.
    Patti Callahan Henry, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Australia lost experienced wing trimmer Kyle Langford to Italy, for example, and New Zealand appears to be suffering from flight controller Andy Maloney’s decision to join Brazil.
    Andrew Rice, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Lis Anderson is founder and director at PR consultancy AMBITIOUS, an experienced agency MD with 25 years in the communications industry.
    Lis Anderson, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The virtuoso made his solo stage debut at Lollapalooza Hobipalooza on July 31, 2022 an hour-long showcase of his skills as a seasoned entertainer, performing tracks from Jack in the Box, his mixtape Hope World, and various BTS albums.
    Zoe Guy, Vulture, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Starr is also accompanied by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Brenda Lee (whose career predates the Beatles) and contemporary bluegrass virtuoso Tuttle.
    Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 5 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Adept.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adept. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on adept

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!