Skillfully
What it means
With developed ability and good judgment.
Reach for it when describing action performed with learned ability, control, and good judgment
The mediator skillfully guided both sides toward agreement.
Words to choose between 9
| warm | |
|---|---|
| professional |
|
| formal | |
| literary |
-
warm
Fits when quick controlled ease is visible
Careful Deftly can imply clever handling rather than deep expertise.
-
professional
competently
Fits when work meets the required standard
Careful Competently is measured praise and less admiring.
-
professional
Fits when exceptional specialized command is established
Careful Use expertly only when the evidence exceeds ordinary skilled work.
-
professional
proficiently
Fits when measured competent performance matters
Careful Proficiently is formal and less graceful.
-
formal
Fits when general competence is enough
Careful Ably is cooler and weaker.
-
formal
Fits when physical agility and precision are central
Careful Dexterously is awkward for judgment or communication.
-
formal
Fits when commanding excellence is truly demonstrated
Careful Masterfully overstates ordinary skilled work.
-
literary
adroitly
Fits when clever physical or social handling suits elevated prose
Careful Adroitly is rare and can imply manipulation.
-
literary
artfully
Fits when creative arrangement or subtle technique matters
Careful Artfully can imply deception.
Opposites 3
- unskillfully
- clumsily
- ineptly
Common phrases 3
-
skillfully crafted
The joint was skillfully crafted from seasoned oak.
-
skillfully handled
The mediator skillfully handled the unexpected accusation.
-
skillfully combine
The design can skillfully combine repair access with weather protection.
Word family 1
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Flame, not lame, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC0 Updated