UNSKILLFUL Synonyms: 115 Similar and Opposite Words

unskillful

adjective

ˌən-ˈskil-fəl

Definition of unskillful

as in incompetent

lacking qualities (as knowledge, skill, or ability) required to do a job an unskillful editor can be worse than none at all

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in inexperienced

lacking or showing a lack of expert skill some painfully unskillful playing by the band's guitarist

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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 unskillful It was intended to be a mockery of the way White people danced, though plantation owners often interpreted slaves' movements as unskillful attempts to be like them. — Scottie Andrew and Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 6 July 2020 One of the most fraught issues around suicide clusters is unskillful media coverage, which studies suggest can spur copycats. — Kate Siber, Outside Online, 4 Sep. 2018 As is often the case, Louie was unlucky — and also unskillful. — Frank Stewart, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2017

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unskillful

Adjective

Powell said Escobar showed up to Friday’s meeting on-duty, with his crew on a fire engine, and called some board members incompetent.

— Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Court records obtained by CBS News Atlanta reveal that a judge declared 54-year-old Jonathan Hamby incompetent, putting him on a separate competency docket.

— Dan Raby, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of incompetent

Adjective

These experienced and skilled athletes, who are often 22 or 23 years old, are appealing to coaches, especially when compared with inexperienced and physically less developed freshmen.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Hafley also cautioned against placing the sole blame on Willis, who started just the 11th game of his career and is leading a young offense with mostly inexperienced receivers who are still developing chemistry.

— CBS News, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of inexperienced

Adjective

Separately, the Independent Football Regulator has the powers to force club owners to sell and can withhold a license to operate if they are deemed unfit.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
In the meantime, a judge repeatedly deemed James mentally unfit for criminal proceedings.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of unfit

Adjective

Nearly a third of the stocks held by amateur traders are also held by hedge funds and other quintessentially aggressive pros, a record share.

— RUCHIR SHARMA, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026
In the last few months, sea creatures such as whale and hammerhead sharks, devil rays, wahoos and other fish species have been seen by beachgoers and amateur anglers from Orange County to Malibu.

— Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of amateur

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
The venerable American clan at the center of the narrator’s reminiscences are wholly unfitted to the modern world and no longer endowed with the fortune that one of them brought home long ago on clipper ships.

— Daniel Akst, WSJ, 2 Sep. 2022

Definition of unfitted

Adjective

An unskilled crew can raise a structural shell in weeks instead of months, and the finished building resists fire, mold, and Category 5 hurricane winds.

— Joe Mullich, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Persona did not see economic viability in the unskilled labor approach, Radford says.

— Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of unskilled

Adjective

As Starlink's speed limits were lowered, Ukraine became incapable of shooting down some Russian drones.

— Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026
Advertisement As for now, the Vatican has not indicated that Leo is in any way incapable of performing or delegating his duties.

— Tiago Ventura, Time, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of incapable

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“Unskillful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unskillful. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of unskillful

adjective

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