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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of proficiency
Black students also had the district’s lowest proficiency rates in math and English on 2025 district testing.
—
Uc Berkeley,
Mercury News,
15 June 2026
Look at students’ abysmal proficiency rates in the state of Illinois and tell me a federal program is not needed.
—
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
Unlike people whose proficiency in English is low, AAE speakers are not counted as a distinct linguistic group, so the scale of the harm is undocumented.
—
Carol Rose Little,
The Conversation,
12 June 2026
During an up-and-down first season on Tyneside, Ramsey ended the campaign with positive momentum and the 25-year-old has the athleticism, but more importantly the technical proficiency, to help Newcastle improve their on-the-ball approach.
—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for proficiency
Uc Berkeley,
Mercury News,
15 June 2026
Look at students’ abysmal proficiency rates in the state of Illinois and tell me a federal program is not needed.
—
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
Unlike people whose proficiency in English is low, AAE speakers are not counted as a distinct linguistic group, so the scale of the harm is undocumented.
—
Carol Rose Little,
The Conversation,
12 June 2026
During an up-and-down first season on Tyneside, Ramsey ended the campaign with positive momentum and the 25-year-old has the athleticism, but more importantly the technical proficiency, to help Newcastle improve their on-the-ball approach.
—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for proficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proficiency
Noun
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To watch Kane now is to feel in the presence of mastery.
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The article suggests that true mastery comes not from avoiding mistakes, but from operating at the edge of one's capacity, much like in demanding vocations such as sports or diving.
Noun
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Modern leadership increasingly demands physical fitness beyond traditional executive skills like strategic vision and emotional intelligence.
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Parents are looking for activities that do more than fill the hours, and a good cooking class can hand a child real skills, real confidence and a few recipes worth making again at home.
Noun
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For full daily and monthly horoscopes as well as expert readings, see our full Horoscopes experience.
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With an experience like that under her belt, would an Oscar really be that big of a deal?
Noun
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Reassurance and strategic expertise were among the main reasons professional human advisors are preferred for the final decision, HSBC said.
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Beyond their historical expertise, exceptional guides also know the best times to visit major sites, how to avoid crowds, and how to handle tricky logistics.
Noun
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This gives you a massive 41% discount on a flagship entertainment centerpiece featuring Hi-QLED mini-LED zone backlighting, a fluid native 144Hz Game Mode, and Dolby Vision IQ.
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But the coaching staff has been impressed with the rookie’s IQ, mechanics and athleticism.
Noun
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What those vehicles all need is the command of light.
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However, if your command of the Spanish language is less than lousy or if reading this has inspired you to take your first step inside the Compare Foods Supermarket on Milton Road, here’s the trifecta of non-negotiable dishes to eat.
Cite this Entry
“Proficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proficiency. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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