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
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Recent Examples of professional
Francie Ebert, NBC news, 6 June 2026
Owens appeared on a panel focused on balancing parenthood and professional success.
—Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2026
Melanie Cree, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
This week, the ballet center’s longtime owners and directors, Zola Dishong and Richard Cammack, announced that two other ballet professionals will take over their studio space on North Broadway in Walnut Creek.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for professional
Adjective
Hogan was a towering figure in professional wrestling, widely credited with bringing the sport to mainstream audiences.
—Francie Ebert, NBC news, 6 June 2026
Owens appeared on a panel focused on balancing parenthood and professional success.
—Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2026
Noun
In a study published on May 12, 2026, in the medical journal The Lancet, an international team of researchers and health professionals formally announced the renaming of the condition to polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS.
—Melanie Cree, The Conversation, 29 May 2026
This week, the ballet center’s longtime owners and directors, Zola Dishong and Richard Cammack, announced that two other ballet professionals will take over their studio space on North Broadway in Walnut Creek.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for professional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for professional
Adjective
-
The North Korean players’ physical aptitude was clear, but coaches were aware of their technical and tactical shortcomings.—
Andrew McNicol,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
-
The women learned technical skills including welding, riveting, aircraft assembly and munitions manufacturing while helping produce equipment and supplies needed by Allied forces.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
The international airport in General Santos was temporarily shut due to the earthquake, and 17 domestic flights were canceled, civil aviation officials said.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
-
All ships in this class are named after renowned American civil and human rights leaders and activists.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Its final transformation came in 1991, when the grand Regency-era structure was reborn as a luxury hotel, followed by a lavish 2014 restoration involving more than 300 plasterers, embroiderers, and crystal specialists, among other artisans.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 June 2026
-
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
Workshop bookings from tourists are helping skilled craftspeople stay in business — and keeping the techniques themselves from disappearing.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2026
-
Evergreen Valley College sits right in the heart of East San José and produces talented, skilled graduates who are ready to work.—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Miami Dolphins’ offense perked up Wednesday, delivering a respectable showing on the second day of the team’s mandatory minicamp.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2026
-
Gustafsson’s game isn't about his offense despite having some elements (above-average skating and respectable handling for a big man).—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Greek celebrity chef and consultant Athinagoras Kostakos offers his take on a Levantine giardineira served with skewers of many meats and mushrooms, plus cocktails, of course, including the Smoke on the Water with Creyente mezcal and torched thyme.—
Louisa Kung Liu Chu,
Chicago Tribune,
9 June 2026
-
The roundtable can help in various ways, from covering training costs to connecting developers with Community Development Financial Institutions that match lenders with small business owners, or matching participants with financial consultants.—
Kamal Morgan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
However, instead of the pilot starting the engines during pushback and the tug disconnecting afterward, TaxiBot remains attached to the nose gear via a specialized pivoting clamping platform.—
David Szondy
June 07,
New Atlas,
7 June 2026
-
Hypersonic test programs rely on complex launch infrastructure General Hypersonics highlighted that while many high-speed and hypersonic test programs rely on complex launch infrastructure, including carrier aircrafts and rocket boosters, and specialized ranges and extensive mission planning.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer praised Sugano for his businesslike approach to the game.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
23 May 2026
-
Confirm details in writing early, keep communication brief and businesslike, and build in flexibility where possible.—
Rebecca L. Palmer,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Professional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/professional. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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