proficiency

noun

prə-ˈfi-shən(t)-sē How to pronounce proficiency (audio)
Definition of proficiencynext
1
as in mastery
a highly developed skill in or knowledge of something surprised by his proficiency at the game after only the briefest explanation of the rules

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in skills
knowledge gained by actually doing or living through something acquired proficiency at golf through long hours of practice

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 proficiency The yearly ranking is based on six factors, including college readiness, state assessment proficiency, state assessment performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth and graduation rates. — Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026 Those standards can examine technical proficiency, past cyber operations, facility security, personnel vetting and reliability. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2026 Language arts proficiency rates dropped for half of the grades that took Colorado’s latest statewide achievement tests, while rates in mathematics held steady or increased, according to 2026 results released Wednesday. — Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2026 Other criteria considered for the ranking of each school was the College Readiness Index, the College Curriculum Breadth Index, State assessment proficiency, state assessment performance, underserved student performance and graduation rate. — Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for proficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proficiency
  1. mastery
  2. skills
  3. experience
  4. expertise
  5. IQ
  6. command
Noun
  • Complicated in-camera effects — matte work, ghost glass, early Steadicam usage — promised artistic mastery, but not necessarily thrills or coherence.
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Conventional video production and animation software are built for specialists, requiring years of technical mastery.
    — Coco Mao, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of mastery
Noun
  • In his first career start, Russell showed an array of skills.
    — Antonio Morales, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • In fact, Hal does so almost immediately so John can use his artistic skills to create a complex tunneling device for burrowing beneath the compound.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of skills
Noun
  • Together, the workforce brings more than 250 combined years of Minuteman III experience at each base, according to the Air Force.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
  • To be with people of different ages, races, and experiences is a gift.
    — Gloria Steinem, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of experience
Noun
  • Catholic leaders and fellow scholars say Levine was chosen for her expertise, praising her election as a sign of deeper interfaith cooperation.
    — Peter Smith, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Ternus’s expertise in executing on Apple’s product roadmap and maintaining the company’s high engineering standards signals a commitment to a central pillar of the Apple brand, even as the company seeks to evolve with the times.
    — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of expertise
Noun
  • This is slightly below domestic competitors like the Cadillac Escalade IQ, although Genesis charging speeds are more competitive.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The Dutchman’s footballing IQ has also been noted by recruitment specialists across Europe.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of IQ
Noun
  • The Big Ten added live audio and video from its replay review command center this season, but only for select Friday games.
    — Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Instead of waiting for that person to issue a command, OlloNi could approach and initiate an interaction.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of command

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proficiencies
proficiency
proficient
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Cite this Entry

“Proficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proficiency. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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