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prowess

prowess

52 6.1
Great skill in an activity like music or sport, often after practice
  • noun
  • /ˈpraʊəs/
translation icon : destreza
  • Her artistic prowess was evident in the stunning paintings displayed at the gallery.
  • demonstrate prowess
  • athletic prowess
  • physical prowess

Like how much of it is physical prowess versus mental grit?

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Examples

  • Observing this prowess, many neighboring rulers sought their aid.

  • But they respected his prowess as a hunter, now that they had seen it.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • But military prowess alone is not enough.

  • Now just to show off my programming prowess, watch this.

  • Obviously incredible manufacturing prowess, huge consumer economy.

  • People love the small size and the off road prowess, which is getting harder and harder to find.

  • The teacher, noting the rapid growth and prowess of his young student, then said, "Wonderful."

    Academic text (1992)
  • Soon their military prowess would see the scope of their campaigns grow even larger.

  • He is renowned not just for his singing, but for his prowess as a dramatic actor.

  • Norman Schwarzkopf was a big, burly man of considerable military prowess and very much a soldier's soldier.

    Fiction book (1994)

Synonyms

ability
vsprowess
1.0

Skill or power to do something

is a stronger, trained excellence shown in a particular activity
skill
vsprowess
1.0

Ability to do something well because of practice or training

emphasizes exceptional greatness and result of extended training and experience
art
vsprowess
651 2.3

A skill learned and improved by practice and study

covers great ability generally, not limited to refined creative work
strength
vsprowess
336 2.8

A skill or quality someone has that helps them do well

is specifically great trained ability rather than any advantage or trait
excellence
vsprowess
150 3.2

Very high quality or skill that makes one stand out

is focused specifically on great trained ability within an activity
competence
vsprowess
69 4.1

Ability to do a task well because of skill and knowledge

indicates a greater, exceptional ability beyond mere adequacy or qualification
competency
vsprowess
39 4.1

The skills and knowledge needed to do something well

implies a higher, notable level of ability developed through training
artistry
vsprowess
32 5.0

High skill in creating and performing art, for example painting or music

is broader excellent ability across fields, not only creative production
strong suit
vsprowess
  • Informal
30 4.4

A skill or area that a person is very good at

is the overall high level of performance across an activity rather than a single area
proficiency
vsprowess
30 4.7

A high level of skill in a subject or activity gained through practice

emphasizes outstanding ability rooted in long training and experience
immense talent
vsprowess
1 3.8

Very great skill in something like art or sport

focuses more on developed high ability from training and experience
superior skill
vsprowess
1 5.2

A very high level of ability better than most people have

is high ability developed through practice rather than just relative standing
adeptness
vsprowess
1 5.6

A high level of skill at doing something

refers more to notable overall ability built by experience and training
masterly command
vsprowess
  • Formal
6.7

Great skill and control in a subject or activity

is general high ability from training and experience rather than control focused
expertness
vsprowess
6.4

High skill or knowledge in a specific area

stresses great overall ability especially from long training and practice
skillfulness
vsprowess
4.1

A quality of being very good at doing something

expresses notable ability especially emphasising greatness and result of training
capableness
vsprowess
6.3

The ability to do work and handle tasks well

suggests a more outstanding, highly trained level of performance

Antonyms

177 2.8

Not able to do something you need to do

18 7.4

A lack of skill that makes someone do tasks badly

How Skilled

genius
601 4.3
mastery
37 4.2
prowess
52 6.1
talent
326 2.8
skill
1.0
ability
1.0

Surface Forms

prowess singular
prowesses plural

Etymology

Prowess comes from an old French word prouesse, which meant 'bravery' or 'brave deeds' in battle. So, when we call someone's skill 'prowess' today, we are saying their ability is as impressive and strong as a brave act.