unskilled

adjective

ˌən-ˈskild How to pronounce unskilled (audio)
Definition of unskillednext
1
as in inexperienced
lacking or showing a lack of expert skill an unskilled handling of the facial features in the portrait explains why it is attributed to "school of Velázquez" and not to the master himself

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in incompetent
lacking qualities (as knowledge, skill, or ability) required to do a job hired unskilled workers because they would work for lower wages

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 unskilled In an email to Krebs, Valadon claimed that the repo’s commit logs show that GitHub’s default protections against committing secrets—protections designed to protect unwitting or unskilled developers against exactly this kind of stupidness—had been disabled by the repo’s administrator. — Lee Hutchinson, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2026 With the revision, unskilled workers in Noida will now earn approximately $147 per month, while semi-skilled and skilled workers will also see proportional increases. — Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 17 Apr. 2026 Women worked as domestics; men served as unskilled laborers, canal diggers and later as mill workers across the river. — Paula Kane, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026 Meanwhile, the women faced with that pool of socially unskilled men have largely been overlooked. — Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 17 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unskilled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unskilled
  1. inexperienced
  2. incompetent
  3. amateur
  4. unfit
  5. unfitted
  6. incapable
Adjective
  • The Holbrook sisters are undersocialized and inexperienced with the world, and Herzog sees them as figures out of a fable, dreamers who talk incessantly about love and seem connected to the elemental and the ancient.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
  • When someone with 20 years of expertise is willing to look inexperienced for 20 minutes, everyone else gets permission to learn.
    — Pankaj Prasoon, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of inexperienced
Adjective
  • In a 2013 Denver case on similar charges, he was found incompetent to stand trial, and the case was dismissed.
    — Olivia Young, CBS News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • So the archetype of an uncharismatic leader is not necessarily someone unlikeable, introverted, socially incompetent or ineffective.
    — Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of incompetent
Adjective
  • What makes this solution a favorite for amateur home cooks and pro chefs alike?
    — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Clooney’s nearby Italian residence was already as famous as him, and a stakeout spot for amateur and professional paparazzi.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of amateur
Adjective
  • But in Meriwether’s hands, the show became a propulsive exploration of both women’s trauma and the misogynistic criminal justice system that’s unfit to deal with it.
    — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The complaint also alleges Wendy's failed to warn customers of the alleged danger and served food that was unfit for human consumption.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of unfit
Adjective
  • Here, Rodel shares how to make the unfitted kitchen trend your own, one statement-worthy piece at a time.
    — Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 May 2025
  • Mix Materials The beauty in the unfitted kitchen aesthetic is found in its collected look.
    — Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 May 2025
Definition of unfitted
Adjective
  • What’s left is a vaguely political YouTube series afraid of its own tail, incapable of being actually relatable and too cowardly to own the batshit truths of these people’s lives.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
  • It’s not intended for the silent majority who have suffered long for the team, while being incapable of stomaching Watson.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of incapable

Browse Nearby Words

unsinkable
unskilled
unskillful
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Cite this Entry

“Unskilled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unskilled. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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