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expert

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adjective

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an expert fisherman
an experienced fisherman
a pro fisherman
an excellent fisherman
an accomplished fisherman
a skilled fisherman
an expert doctor
an exceptional doctor
a knowledgeable doctor
a smart doctor
a specialized doctor
a superb doctor
an expert author
a professional author
an advanced author
a premier author
an esteemed author
a proficient author
an expert individual
an elite individual
an exceptional individual
an exemplary individual
an extraordinary individual
a special individual
an expert critic
a qualified critic
a superior critic
an elite critic
a senior critic
an official critic

Synonym Chooser

How is the word expert distinct from other similar adjectives?

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

expert in the evaluation of wines

In what contexts can adept take the place of expert?

The words adept and expert are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, adept implies special aptitude as well as proficiency.

adept at doing long division

When is proficient a more appropriate choice than expert?

While the synonyms proficient and expert are close in meaning, proficient implies a thorough competence derived from training and practice.

proficient in translating foreign languages

When could skilled be used to replace expert?

Although the words skilled and expert have much in common, skilled stresses mastery of technique.

a skilled surgeon

When is it sensible to use skillful instead of expert?

In some situations, the words skillful and expert are roughly equivalent. 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 expert
Noun
Though Haack's solo show may be canceled, the design expert has been working on another special project — her very own champagne line called Clé Cachée. Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 21 July 2025 Our shopping experts are selecting the best Prime Day deals on Dyson vacuums, Apple AirPods, Kendra Scott jewelry, and other best-selling products across various categories. Isabel Garcia, People.com, 9 July 2025
Adjective
So, the ability to be in the air and be able to fly with expert precision with a motion controller within minutes is incredible. James Abbott, Space.com, 14 July 2025 The plaintiffs also drew on the expert testimony of Donna Lopiano, a prominent Title IX authority, college athletic administrator and former CEO of the Women’s Sports Foundation. Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for expert
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expert
Noun
  • Prior to running The Pitt's emergency department like a pro, the master was just a med student on ER.
    Shania Russell, EW.com, 15 July 2025
  • Moore connected with Fiorito, then an Arizona State University master of fine arts student, in 2004.
    Laura Gersony, AZCentral.com, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • Many of these apprentices were not skilled tradesmen.
    Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 22 July 2025
  • The same is true of pickleball, where a skilled player with the right paddle can cause problems for an opponent.
    Martin Cizmar, Wired News, 20 July 2025
Noun
  • At least Alexia gets to hang out with her new guru, Daniel Chidiac.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 July 2025
  • On these posts, commenters are asking what shade of Sharpie the beauty gurus are using, with many praising the permanent marker as an economical alternative to traditional lip liners.
    Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2025
Adjective
  • The result is a skillful balance between dewy and glossy, blushy and gleamy.
    Annie Blackman, Allure, 18 July 2025
  • But despite those skillful trappings, the story soon feels ponderous.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • Customer service reps, especially those with experience, are adept at handling these data discrepancies.
    Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • The ants that nest in pots are adept at picking up their colonies and moving them quickly, says Liesch.
    Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 July 2025
Noun
  • Perhaps the most systematic attempt to bring order to this chaos comes from Google DeepMind, which in July 2024 proposed a framework with five levels of AGI performance: emerging, competent, expert, virtuoso, and superhuman.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 8 July 2025
  • Even with Caitlin Clark once again sidelined, the Fever have been able to count on the virtuoso scoring talent of Kelsey Mitchell and the veteran expertise of Natasha Howard to help stabilize them.
    Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
Adjective
  • According to Jacobo Lovo, managing artistic director of Latino Arts, the mural has welcomed thousands of UCC visitors every year.
    Kylie Volavongsa, jsonline.com, 26 July 2025
  • Because despite dwindling ticket sales and flailing artistic reputation, Trump’s domestic policy bill provides over $250 million to the center, six times the amount normally allocated.
    Christine Ledbetter, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2025
Adjective
  • Literacy expert Molly Ness, PhD, who was interviewed as part of her partnership with Amazon, notes that 65 percent of fourth graders aren’t reading at a proficient level.
    Kara Nesvig, Parents, 24 July 2025
  • The law doesn’t specify a grade level for instruction but calls for all students to be proficient.
    Ashley Fredde, Idaho Statesman, 24 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Expert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expert. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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