1
as in technical
having or showing trained ability in a particular field of knowledge
Many of the applicants lacked the professional experience the job required. She had always dreamed of becoming a professional boxer.
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2
as in civil
in a serious and polite manner
She found his presentation informative and his delivery quite professional. Employees were expected to act in a professional manner when dealing with potential customers.
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as in specialist
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field
If you want the job done right, you really should hire a professional.
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of professional
Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025
This victory marks his 20th on the DP World Tour and the 45th of his professional career.
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
Craft your own pumpkin, blown by professionals out of hot molten glass.
—Caroline Ritzie, The Enquirer, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for professional
Adjective
Under the new policy, graduate students can borrow up to $100,000 over the course of their studies and professional students — like those in law or medical school — can borrow up to $200,000.
—Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025
This victory marks his 20th on the DP World Tour and the 45th of his professional career.
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
Cooking helps inactivate these compounds, Messer explains, but those with thyroid concerns may want to moderate their intake or consult a healthcare professional.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
Craft your own pumpkin, blown by professionals out of hot molten glass.
—Caroline Ritzie, The Enquirer, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for professional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for professional
Adjective
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Rohl’s size can mask his obvious technical ability.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
-
In November 2016, two of Boeing’s 737 MAX flight technical pilots discovered information about an important change to the control system part.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Being undocumented in the United States, whether by crossing the border without authorization or overstaying a visa, is typically considered a civil violation rather than a criminal offense.—
Caroll Alvarado,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
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The Sheriff's Department investigation was announced shortly after the civil suit was filed in May.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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An investigation by corruption specialist lawyer Natalia Volosin, published in Noticias magazine, sheds further light on businessman Leonardo Scatturice's dealings.—
Agustino Fontevecchia,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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Shefali Christopher, a clinical specialist in sports physical therapy and associate professor at Tufts University, recalls that lack of advice during her own first pregnancy.—
Starre Vartan,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The teachers’ union protested her decision to force over a hundred specialized staff to reapply for a smaller pool of their jobs or move into classroom teaching positions.—
Rory Linnane,
jsonline.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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But neurodivergent children may benefit from specialized learning.—
Suzanne Wright,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Swag itself opened with a respectable 163,000 overall units back in July despite having few physical album sales since his physical units hadn’t shipped out yet.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Sep. 2025
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And at least Brentford’s human-rights record is respectable.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In previous years, a private consultant managed the grant distribution process.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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This works especially well for marketers, designers, video editors, consultants, and salespeople.—
William Arruda,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Set in 1819 Hispaniola, just prior to the Dominican Republic’s push for independence, the drama centers on an unexpected trio – a young Spanish noble, a skilled Chinese silk artisan and a Haitian soldier who’s abandoned his post.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
8 Sep. 2025
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Rather, the bots are skilled at mimicking human reactions to stressful situations, responding to users in ways that often reflect racist and sexist biases.—
Patricia Marx,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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As the subject of Materialists, Lucy’s coolness evolves from a businesslike need to maintain control over a situation.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
22 Aug. 2025
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And how would the famously gruff and businesslike Belichick work with nineteen-year-olds?—
Ian Crouch,
New Yorker,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Professional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/professional. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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