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skillful

[skil-fuhl] / ˈskɪl fəl /
ADJECTIVE
able, talented
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accomplished adept adroit competent experienced practical proficient seasoned skilled smart trained
WEAK
a hand at apt brainy clever crack crackerjack dexterous expert good handy hotdog learned on the ball practiced prepared primed pro professional quick ready really into savvy sharp smooth there tuned-in versant versed vet veteran well-versed whiz wicked wised up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
awkward clumsy incapable incompetent inefficient inept inexperienced stupid unable unseasoned unskilled untrained
WEAK
green ignorant incapacitated unskillful untalented

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

How did a recherché, quasi-French dish leave the skillful hands of Thomas Jefferson’s enslaved cooks and wind up being popular grub for millions of today’s cooks and consumers, white and—emphatically—black?

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

In this roiling atmosphere, skillful politicians such as Lincoln churned turnout.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

At his best, he is undoubtedly one of England's most skillful seamers but his fitness and reliability remains a concern.

From BBC • Jan. 11, 2026

Martin cites Timothée Chalamet’s orange-hued campaign for “Marty Supreme” as a particularly skillful deployment of the trend.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2025

Once more Ralph dreamed, letting his skillful feet deal with the difficulties of the path.

From "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding

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