Competent
Competent adjective - Having the required skills for an acceptable level of performance.
Usage example: any competent mechanic should be able to fix that
Skilled is a synonym for competent in capable topic. In some cases you can use "Skilled" instead an adjective "Competent", when it comes to topics like able, ability, proficient, knowledgeable. popular alternative
Skilled
Skilled adjective - Having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor.
Usage example: a delicate brain operation requiring the services of a highly skilled surgeon
Competent is a synonym for skilled in capable topic. You can use "Competent" instead an adjective "Skilled", if it concerns topics such as ability, experienced, proficient, knowledgeable. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
Both words in one sentence
- Instead, they allowed Gates (who was obviously less competent and skilled) to take that position.
Source: Almighty Janitor -
Therefore, in the everyday working world, the people you run into with skilled positions are more likely to be competent and skilled.
Source: Medieval Morons -
He's shortly established as the most competent and skilled EVA pilot, beating out the much-more-experienced Asuka while in an EVA he's unfamiliar with, but is easily manipulated by Gendo into accomplishing his goals and triggering a Fourth Impact.
Source: Skilled, but Naïve
Cite this Source
Skilled and Competent. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/competent/skilled
Competent & Skilled. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/competent/skilled>.
Skilled or Competent. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/competent/skilled.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "competent" and "skilled" have occurred on timeline