Synonyms of proficiency

proficiency

noun

prə-ˈfi-shən(t)-sē 

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

• mastery
• experience
• IQ
• mastership
• command
• expertise
• fluency
• facility
• practice
• virtuosity
• literacy
• skill(s)
• familiarity
• acquaintance
• intimacy
• know-how
• hang

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incompetence
• incompetency
• ignorance
• illiteracy
• unfamiliarity

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

• skills
• experience
• expertise
• chops
• know-how
• savvy
• background
• mastery
• moxie
• familiarity
• acquaintance
• intimacy
• conversance
• command

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inexperience
• ignorance
• unfamiliarity
• unawareness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of proficiency

Equal tool access doesn’t mean equal proficiency—deliberately spreading high-leverage skills raises everyone’s output, reduces knowledge silos and helps new or quieter voices contribute faster, building a genuinely stronger and more cohesive team. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Smith said after the dogs' proficiency as workers was recognized, breeders brought them across the Atlantic to develop them further in England, as the Earl of Malmesbury sought to mold them into hunters in the 1800s . — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 24 July 2026

Since then, about 26,000 drivers have been pulled off the road for failing to demonstrate English proficiency, and the Transportation Department said 30,000 commercial licenses were canceled because they were issued illegally. — Josh Funk, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026

With models’ growing proficiency in biology comes their expanding potential for misuse, such as by assisting in the design or weaponization of enhanced viruses. — Doni Bloomfield, STAT, 21 July 2026