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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of professional
Rance Collins, IndieWire, 7 June 2025
In the meantime, however, these discriminatory government edicts will continue to violate Coloradans’ rights of free speech and free exercise of religion, and adversely impact the privacy, safety, professional conduct, and even health of those who disagree with the government’s ideology.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 7 June 2025
Amber M. Simpson, The Conversation, 6 June 2025
Asian American professionals working for major corporations were trapped in their jobs and regarded as good workers but not managers.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for professional
Adjective
Nicholson made her television debut in 1997, her film debut in 1998, and her professional theater debut in 2000.
—Rance Collins, IndieWire, 7 June 2025
In the meantime, however, these discriminatory government edicts will continue to violate Coloradans’ rights of free speech and free exercise of religion, and adversely impact the privacy, safety, professional conduct, and even health of those who disagree with the government’s ideology.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 7 June 2025
Noun
Currently, my research with STEM professionals who were homeschooled talk about the power of learning sparked by curiosity.
—Amber M. Simpson, The Conversation, 6 June 2025
Asian American professionals working for major corporations were trapped in their jobs and regarded as good workers but not managers.
—Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for professional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for professional
Adjective
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There is clearly more to Ait-Nouri’s game than classic wing-back play, however, a technical, two-footed player capable of playing a variety of different roles.—
David Ornstein,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
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Plans for transforming the school’s gyms on the north side of the building into an expansion of career and technical education offerings are also shaping up.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2025
Adjective
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The text messages were largely between Baldoni, his publicist Jennifer Abel and crisis management expert Melissa Nathan, and were obtained through a civil subpoena, Lively's complaint said.—
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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Age verification for pornographic websites Texas enacted a law in 2023 that requires pornography websites to confirm that visitors are at least 18 years old or face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day.—
Melissa Quinn
June 9,
CBS News,
9 June 2025
Noun
-
Marketing guru Tiziana Rocca, who has close Hollywood ties and is a festivals specialist, is back at the helm eight years after she was forced to step down due to political infighting in 2017 following a five-year stint.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
5 June 2025
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Other awardees included Michael Bichler, a special education specialist at Mt. Carmel High School in Rancho Penasquitos.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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During the heavy rain and flooding that impacted large parts of Southern Germany in 2024, Allianz sent specialized claims task forces to affected areas to provide on-the-ground support and dispatched thousands of drying devices to aid recovery efforts, says Boecker.—
Rachel Rabkin Peachman,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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Residents notified the directorate of antiquities, which dispatched a specialized team to inspect and secure the site.—
Omar Albam,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
Adjective
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The Nasdaq Composite had a slightly better session, closing at a respectable 0.32%.—
Paolo Confino,
Fortune,
4 June 2025
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Even among more respectable children’s literature from its time, Peter was a thoughtful creation, his architects never hesitating to use his famous credo: With great power comes great responsibility.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
4 June 2025
Noun
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China controls up to 70% of global rare-earth mining, 85% of refining capacity and about 90% of rare-earth metal alloy and magnet production, says consultants AlixPartners.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
9 June 2025
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Credited as a technical consultant, Bright recommended more closeups during a scene in which Gina Gershon, as a hot plumber named Corky, fixes Jennifer Tilly’s sink.—
Jennifer Wilson,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
Adjective
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The hope, Morrison said, was to encourage employers to bring in skilled workers via the permanent residency pathway, on the theory that immigrants with green cards would, by being on stronger footing, be less likely to undercut wages for Americans than guest workers did.—
Alec MacGillis,
ProPublica,
3 June 2025
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State government has made the education and training of skilled aerospace workers an important priority.—
Yogi Tharanibalan,
Hartford Courant,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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In the past, it’s been a little bit more businesslike.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2025
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Guys in dress shoes and trenchcoats toted the Times, folded into tight businesslike rectangles.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
5 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Professional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/professional. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
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