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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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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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 focus of the new Milwaukee Reading Coalition is on training teachers of children in early grades in all schools in Milwaukee about how to be effective in leading students to reading proficiency. Alan J. Borsuk, jsonline.com, 26 Dec. 2025 Industry experience and demonstrated proficiencies are among the top factors considered by employers surveyed in NACE’s Job Outlook 2026. IEEE Spectrum, 25 Dec. 2025 The city recently released test results showing that the number of students meeting the bar for proficiency has risen by seven percentage points. David Owen, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025 That means shooting proficiency. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 19 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for proficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proficiency
Noun
  • The lack of cutting-room material serves as a testament to Don Trip and Starlito’s innate chemistry and mastery of their creative process, which continues to yield praiseworthy results more than a decade after their first pairing.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 8 Jan. 2026
  • To say anything else, many feminists now argue, would be to infantilize her, to subordinate her—to the state, to moralism—rather than acknowledge her mastery of her own body.
    S. C. Cornell, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Using those newfound skills, the Creature returns to the ruins of the tower and reads letters that reveal the truth of its creation.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Jan. 2026
  • In fact, employers at Big Four firms like KPMG and PWC have identified that their youngest recruits are lacking essential work etiquette skills like communication and collaboration.
    Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • But law enforcement experts told CNN the dragging incident last summer could have affected his decision-making – though how such an experience impacts law enforcement varies from officer to officer.
    Mark Morales, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
  • Plaut aims to simplify the flying experience by utilizing software that mirrors a car rather than a traditional airplane.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • This is an entity that has expertise.
    NBC news, NBC news, 11 Jan. 2026
  • By combining Tailan’s battery expertise with Changan’s automotive manufacturing capabilities, the partnership positions both sides at the forefront of the evolving energy storage markets.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Although 2025 was his sixth year in college, Wisniewski’s game IQ outweighs any age concerns a team may have.
    Ty Kaplan, Dallas Morning News, 8 Jan. 2026
  • The automaker also plans to launch in 2028 Level 3 driving technology on the Cadillac Escalade IQ SUV, which starts at close to $130,000.
    Breana Noble, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The incident's central command constantly receives progress reports from firefighters on the ground.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Despite these measures, investigators acknowledge that Brazil’s penitentiaries remain the backbone of command and communication for its largest criminal organizations — a paradox that the state struggles to contain.
    Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Proficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proficiency. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

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