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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 professional
Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 3 Nov. 2025
His journey began with a collegiate scholarship, followed by professional playing stints across America and Europe.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025
The decision has been greeted with dismay by many Israeli documentary professionals who point to their tradition of documenting and critiquing Israel’s mistreatment of Palestinians, as well as the efforts of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to shut them down.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for professional
Adjective
In the 1990s, before email contacts became the measure of a media figure’s reach, Pierce kept four huge Rolodexes filled with his professional contacts, according to the Free Press.
—Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 3 Nov. 2025
His journey began with a collegiate scholarship, followed by professional playing stints across America and Europe.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
Leaving the preparation of nourishing, healthy meals in the hands of a professional is among the greatest luxuries for travelers today.
—Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025
The decision has been greeted with dismay by many Israeli documentary professionals who point to their tradition of documenting and critiquing Israel’s mistreatment of Palestinians, as well as the efforts of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to shut them down.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for professional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for professional
Adjective
-
Review the smartwatch’s technical specifications and find a compatible charger.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The complex structure necessitated the producers parcelling out creative and technical roles based on each country’s contribution.—
Marcus Lim,
Variety,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The criminal operations have gone largely unchallenged in Cambodia due to the complete dismantling in recent years of the country’s civil society and independent media.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
-
From their point of view, there will be a local council that will get a lot of money from international donors, but, behind the scenes, Hamas, like Hezbollah in Lebanon, will be able to continue to preserve its military and political and civil power.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Saturday’s flight was the 13th with supplies for Gaza by Samaritan’s Purse and its disaster response specialists.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Oct. 2025
-
It was instead broadcast via a specialist beauty and pageantry streaming service.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In some, the specialized cells were present for decades.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Determining the species of necrophagous flies (the kind that alight on a body, then lay eggs there) and other insects isn't always easy, though, and forensic entomology is such a specialized discipline that few law enforcement agencies have ready access to an expert in the field.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The only club with a losing record is the Minnesota Vikings, who are a fairly respectable 3-4.—
Matthew Schmidt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
-
By most accounts, Hooch was a fairly respectable businessman, but he was convicted of murder after shooting the popular banker and stealing $20.—
Graham Averill,
Outside,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Marcus Allen, founder of The Society Archive, who spent 15 years as a stylist and creative consultant, photographed and styled the campaign for the collection.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Gus Bartholomew is co-founder of Leafr, the world’s largest marketplace for independent sustainability consultants.—
Gus Bartholomew,
Sourcing Journal,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Snider navigates the complex intersections of addiction with class, sexuality, masculinity, and family bonds with skilled generosity in this powerful fourth collection.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The older de Ridder, who turns 23 in January, is originally from Belgium and was one of the best young players in the tough Spanish ACB last season as a skilled four who can defend, move without the ball and knock down shots from the perimeter.—
Sam Vecenie,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share