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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 students make progress toward nearing proficiency during elementary and middle school. — Francesca Pinney, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026 Researchers at Yale University found that Spanish learners using Babbel for about 15 hours improved their oral proficiency by 100% in three months. — Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2026 This includes removing 110 CDL schools associated with more than 5,000 drivers who failed English-language proficiency tests. — Nicole Russell, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 For years, the education establishment — teachers, administrators and school boards — blamed a lack of adequate financing for California’s embarrassingly low levels of proficiency. — Dan Walters, Oc Register, 31 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
  • Teaching students to actively hunt for hallucinations, logical gaps and hidden biases in AI drafts transforms them from passive consumers into critical editors—building deep domain mastery by evaluating why an AI answer fails.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026
  • By exhibiting and then dominating them in the arena, Rome was symbolically asserting its mastery over nature itself.
    — Roberto Prieto, Variety, 8 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
  • The innuendo only encouraged the bidding — and the riding jokes — with two guests ultimately taking the experience at $120,000 each.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Biggart rarely discussed it, though the experience announced itself whenever his children approached fireworks or open flames.
    — Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of experience
Noun
  • Earn media coverage, contribute expertise to relevant conversations, keep company information current and make sure important developments are publicly accessible.
    — Evan Nierman, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Hoover, however, said smaller skilled traders could still retain an edge in niche markets, as the sheer breadth of contracts allows traders to develop highly specialized expertise and even become market makers.
    — Matthew Tan, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of expertise
Noun
  • Kvaratskhelia nods in agreement, praising Ruiz’s football IQ.
    — Tom Burrows, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • On personal autonomy and Super Cruise How GM plans to introduce eyes-off highway driving in the Cadillac Escalade IQ in 2028, building on Super Cruise’s current hands-free, eyes-on capability.
    — Fortune Editors, Fortune, 10 Sep. 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

Browse Nearby Words

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 17 Sep. 2026.

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