ADEPT Synonyms: 155 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

adept 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈdept

Definition of adept next

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

adept

2 of 2

noun

ˈa-ˌdept

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

Examples 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

John Eatwell, a veteran British economist who was then a first-year faculty member at Cambridge, recalled that Harris was inquisitive, technically adept, and up to date on the latest literature on both sides of the Atlantic. —

John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2024 Swank has consistently proven herself an adept elevator of schlock, an unexpected though welcome career path for her. —

Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024

Noun

Colter’s reluctant guide is crusty Vietnam War vet Ike Fletcher (Brian Cox), a fly-fishing adept who’s gotten too old to venture to the stream alone. —

Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 7 June 2023 Terence Nicholson, the former manager of the gallery and a martial-arts adept, subtracts the pop-culture element with a shadowy video of real kung fu moves. —

Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2023 See all Example Sentences for adept

Recent Examples of Synonyms for adept

Adjective

Granted, this is a long and convoluted path to my main point: To deflect further assaults on democratic norms, Trump’s foes will need a skilled, focused and thoughtful leader.

Steven Greenhut, Orange County Register, 15 Nov. 2024
Rebuilding Notre Dame required help from skilled craftsmen from around the globe and the use of tools — created on-site — that match those used by the original workers who built the cathedral centuries ago.

Rebecca Cohen, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024