Synonyms for experience

noun

1. The act of living through events

   participation, involvement, undergoing, direct observation, encountering, contact, exposure, practice, strife, struggle, endurance, action, actuality, reality, activity, existence, continuance, school of hard knocks*; see also life 1, 2.

2. What one lives through

   occurrence, encounter, happening, adventure; see event 1, 2.

3. That which one gains from having lived

   background, skill, knowledge, perspicacity, wisdom, practice, familiarity, acquaintance, conversance, maturity, seasoning, judgment, practical knowledge, sense, savoir-faire, sophistication, worldliness, proficiency, expertise, know-how*.

verb