adept 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈdept How to pronounce adept (audio)
Definition of adeptnext
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

adept

2 of 2

noun

ˈa-ˌdept How to pronounce adept (audio)
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

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 with players like Donaldson, Goldin and others who seem adept at meeting the moment, being on the brink is apparently right where Michigan likes it. — Sam Blum, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025 Considering how many feel the show speaks to the rise in fascism currently taking place throughout the world, many believe the show has become adept at channeling real-world conflicts into a sci-fi allegory, but Gilroy doesn’t view his work as capturing the moment. — Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 16 Mar. 2025
Noun
The libero is usually a defensive specialist adept at passing. — Greg Rosenstein, NBC News, 30 July 2024 Still though, the dietary differences alone aren’t sufficient to explain what makes snakes so evolutionary adept. — Popular Science, 22 Feb. 2024 See All Example Sentences for adept
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adept
  1. skilled
  2. expert
  3. proficient
  4. master
  5. skillful
  6. scholar
  7. experienced
  8. virtuoso
Adjective
  • However, even the most skilled clinicians can struggle if the technology is difficult to use.
    — Jiang Li, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • There will be beverages from New Belgium Brewery; a market featuring the wares of DTL’s skilled staff and teachers; tool demonstrations; and a raffle.
    — John Wenzel, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of skilled
Noun
  • Crucial development dates appear off by two weeks according to medical experts; long enough to distort how old a fetus looks.
    — Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Every expert and ordinary person for that matter would conclude that Americans will pay more for goods and products as a result of tariffs.
    — Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of expert
Adjective
  • Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 Superintendent Theresa Plascencia is paid $345,000 a year, presiding over schools where just 16% of students are proficient in reading.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Only around one-third of students are proficient in these foundational skills needed to succeed in today's economy.
    — Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Definition of proficient
Noun
  • The team from Bar Mood in Taipei is taking the lead on nonalcoholic and low-ABV drinks, and master sommelier Kyungmoon Kim has put together a list of wines and sools to accompany the menu.
    — Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The images feature the brand’s ready-to-wear, custom and bespoke suits, the latter of which are available by appointment with the company’s master tailor.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of master
Adjective
  • Hiring managers must learn to distinguish between misuse and skillful application to capture a candidate’s ability to tackle real-world challenges.
    — Bing Yu Yap, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • He is known for his skillful wedge game and a booming drive, but at Memorial Park, his whole game coalesced perfectly.
    — Ben Morse, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of skillful
Noun
  • Legal scholars have said there is little legal precedent for Trump's war on Big Law, which has created a chilling effect across the legal community, and most will certainly have a chilling effect on his opponents who will need legal representation against him.
    — Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 29 Mar. 2025
  • On top of that, the Trump administration has detained some international scholars who have expressed support for Palestinian causes or criticized Israel over the war in Gaza.
    — Tinbete Ermyas, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of scholar
Adjective
  • Back then, there were more established and experienced people by his side.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025
  • It’s best experienced within the confines of Shannon’s film, even if that ultimately means many moments of profound discomfort.
    — Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of experienced
Noun
  • From there, the brothers rope in a boozy harmonica virtuoso named Delta Slim (Delroy Lindo), who only accepts the gig after the brothers agree to pay him in Irish beer.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Throughout, he’s depicted as an anxious man with big feelings, a musical virtuoso whose shame, self-esteem and addiction issues were spawned as a young child bearing witness to domestic disputes.
    — Derek Scancarelli, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of virtuoso

Browse Nearby Words

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adept
adeptly
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Cite this Entry

“Adept.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adept. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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