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
Exposure Is Not Enough In the Reddit thread, commenters pointed to a decline in typing proficiency and basic troubleshooting skills as evidence that something has changed.
—
Darlin Tillery, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
State troopers said that up to half of truckers at some Florida weigh stations fail to meet English proficiency requirements.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026
The division of responsibility has left Israel to hunt and kill Iranian leaders ruthlessly, using an intelligence apparatus built up to assassinate with lethal proficiency.
—Greg Miller, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2026
In assessment after assessment, most Latino and Black third graders fall short of proficiency.
—Daniel L Gordon, Daily News, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for proficiency
Darlin Tillery, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
State troopers said that up to half of truckers at some Florida weigh stations fail to meet English proficiency requirements.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2026
The division of responsibility has left Israel to hunt and kill Iranian leaders ruthlessly, using an intelligence apparatus built up to assassinate with lethal proficiency.
—Greg Miller, Washington Post, 30 Mar. 2026
In assessment after assessment, most Latino and Black third graders fall short of proficiency.
—Daniel L Gordon, Daily News, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for proficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proficiency
Noun
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His mastery of the quick-turnaround game plan has become the standard of college basketball.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
5 Apr. 2026
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But, as academic mastery has become secondary to political consciousness, students are no longer being molded into informed citizens so much as into ideological foot soldiers.—
Courtney Corbello,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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While your expressive nature loves the spotlight, group work is currently the ideal way to showcase your skills without accidentally bragging.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
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The program focuses on traffic, bicycle and life safety skills for young children.—
Janice Phelan,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Every staff member plays the role of concierge and can be tapped for advice, insights, and recommendations, including unique and under-the-radar experiences and tours of the city.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
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Some patients wait and see The early experience with the pill hasn’t been smooth for everyone.—
Annika Kim Constantino,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Family offices without energy expertise are typically seeking to diversify their portfolio with assets that are uncorrelated to stocks and bonds, Prieto said.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
9 Apr. 2026
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When the expertise of our clinical partners is sidelined, under-resourced or not fully integrated into a critical moment, the deadly gap in our response system widens.—
Jim Cook,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Lead, a heavy metal once common in products like pipes and paints, is a neurotoxin that can stunt children’s development, lower IQ scores and increase blood pressure in adults, according to the Associated Press.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
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Its harshest critics continue to insist that there’s no clear neural evidence for distinct, multiple intelligences (MI); the theory is not readily testable (in the way IQ is); and MI’s offshoot teaching strategies are inappropriately studied (even outright harmful).—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Reliever Jacob Webb’s shaky command — including one walk, three hits and a home run — led to three runs in the eighth and ultimately made the difference in Game 2.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Apr. 2026
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The income that a proficiency with needle and thread commands relative to the skills needed and the physical toll of bending over detailed work for hours likely discourages teenagers and young adults from heeding Bae’s advice, fashion industry experts said.—
Anne D’Innocenzio,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Proficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proficiency. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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