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 Ireland ranks last despite placing fourth for English proficiency, sixth for events, and ninth for coworking spaces. — Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Researchers found that former residents' new local elementary schools have 4 to 8% lower proficiency in both math and reading on California standardized tests. — Tim Fang, CBS News, 31 July 2026 The Eagles’ proficiency in the draft afforded them defensive dominance at a discount. — Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 30 July 2026 Only 66% of American students reached the baseline level of mathematics proficiency, compared with an OECD average of 69%, and the highest-performing countries were far ahead of both. — Jared Polis, Denver Post, 30 July 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
  • Physicians still pursue deep mastery in an age when most facts are a simple search away — because mastery was never really about the facts themselves.
    — Frances Mei Hardin, STAT, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Davis describes what followed in terms of confidence rather than technical mastery or coding know-how.
    — Will Drover, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of mastery
Noun
  • The same skills made college graduates Great Recession-proof and dotcom-bust-proof.
    — Douglas A. Hicks, Fortune, 9 Aug. 2026
  • It’s designed for anyone who wants to retain information more effectively, whether that’s preparing for exams, remembering presentations, learning new skills, or simply reducing forgetfulness.
    — StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of skills
Noun
  • One example is United Airlines’ fleet of Boeing 767s, which feature all the carrier’s very latest cabin comfort experiences, but four of which entered service way back in 1991.
    — Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The exhibitions here dive into Black experience both in Canada and beyond.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of experience
Noun
  • Raytheon supplied mission-system expertise, including sonar and electronics integration.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Whether that includes external self-analysis alongside the expertise Brighton provide remains to be seen.
    — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of expertise
Noun
  • Nearly 60 pilot stores are already using the new platform, called Thrift IQ, which CEO Mark Walsh said is aimed at making workers more productive rather than replacing them.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026
  • One of the best fish tank filter options is the Tetra Whisper IQ.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of IQ
Noun
  • That is potentially significant because modern military operations increasingly depend on networks containing aircraft, ships, unmanned systems, sensors and command-and-control nodes from multiple organizations.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Hierarchical cores will persist where unified command, consistent standards, legal accountability, and rapid crisis response are required.
    — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 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 14 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of proficiency for Spanish Speakers

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