as in masterfully
in a skillful or expert manner
an administrator who can deal with the problems quickly and proficiently
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Recent Examples of proficiently
There are two elements to DeLauter’s swing, Fink said, that make something that looks so unorthodox work so proficiently.
—
Zack Meisel, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Students who are not reading proficiently by third grade are far less likely to graduate from high school, and more likely to wind up incarcerated.
—Daniel L Gordon, Daily News, 29 Mar. 2026
All three of her children are now reading proficiently and practice their skills every night.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026
Perhaps the most controversial policy is holding back third graders who cannot read proficiently.
—Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 14 Jan. 2026
Over 75% of the student body at Eastway speaks a first language other than English, with many students who do not yet speak English proficiently.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2025
Zack Meisel, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Students who are not reading proficiently by third grade are far less likely to graduate from high school, and more likely to wind up incarcerated.
—Daniel L Gordon, Daily News, 29 Mar. 2026
All three of her children are now reading proficiently and practice their skills every night.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Mar. 2026
Perhaps the most controversial policy is holding back third graders who cannot read proficiently.
—Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 14 Jan. 2026
Over 75% of the student body at Eastway speaks a first language other than English, with many students who do not yet speak English proficiently.
—Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proficiently
Adverb
-
Nurse Dana—competent, underpaid, indispensable, and increasingly aware of her own leverage—isn’t a supporting character, as masterfully played by the Emmy-winning Katherine LaNasa.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
13 Apr. 2026
-
This contemporary-style home masterfully bridges the indoor and outdoor living experiences.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
And Fitzgerald, coming off a magnificent six-interception freshman season, can play nickel skillfully if needed.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Don’t be fooled by its modest exterior—inside, guests find some of the city’s most skillfully balanced and imaginative drinks, crafted by bartenders who speak spirits fluently.—
Kat Stinson,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Isaacman is well suited for leading the space agency during the rise of the commercial space industry, with its large potential profits and much lower launch costs because of reusable rockets.—
Thomas Black,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The extra Day 3 picks are well worth the acquisition cost for one of the best players in the entire class.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Both boys testified that Jackson had masturbated in front of them and molested Gavin on several occasions, but Jackson’s defense capably pointed out various inconsistencies in their stories and presented impeaching witnesses.—
Amelia McDonell-Parry,
Rolling Stone,
22 Apr. 2026
-
After all, those are spots capably filled by, in order, Justin Herbert, Cameron Dicker, JK Scott and Josh Harris.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Outlays old and new need to be justified and competently managed.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Outlays old and new need to be justified and competently managed.—
Bloomberg Opinion,
Twin Cities,
14 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
The National Park Service studied the American Discovery Trail in the mid-’90s and acknowledged that the American Discovery Trail doesn’t fit neatly into any of the existing categories outlined in the National Trails System Act, Mercurio said.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
-
In what neatly encapsulates the uncomfortable, rude, thin-skinned yet cruel, sarcastic and ultimately juvenile communication style of his online brood, the leader of the pack started with — what else — Lawrence’s looks.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
After all, Denver has all five starters back from last year, is paying all of them handsomely and has built a developmental group in Palczewski, Crum and Forsyth behind that have all stepped into games ably.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Saturday’s second episode, for which ratings dipped slightly, featured a cold open roasting the former Prince Andrew and was ably steered by host Jamie Dornan, who appeared in sketches including a horror comedy about Jools Holland.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
30 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Electric Bleu is a testament to the reality that food can be technically precise and expertly executed, without the pretension and toxicity so often associated with fine dining kitchens.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
-
All of it is paired expertly with wines from the 15,000-strong cellar.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Proficiently.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proficiently. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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