PROFICIENCY Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

proficiency

noun

prə-ˈfi-shən(t)-sē

Definition of proficiency

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

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 Chatbots can help build language proficiency First, people can use the voice features in chatbots such as ChatGPT and Gemini to role-play conversations and practice speaking about different topics. — Antonio Perez-Nunez, The Conversation, 30 Sep. 2026 Nearly half of long-term English learners had already demonstrated proficiency in English but had not been reclassified, according to research cited by the Assembly Education Committee. — Emily Woodruff, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026 The California State University system currently requires undergraduate applicants whose schooling was in a language other than English to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language to prove their proficiency in the language. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026 With more students passing this year’s proficiency test, the Tucson Unified School District is preparing to continue supporting students like Arturo within the mandates approved by voters in 2000. — Rafael Carranza, ProPublica, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for proficiency

Recent Examples of Synonyms for proficiency

Noun

That combination of domain mastery, systems fluency and outcome ownership is genuinely rare.

— Ali Alkhafaji, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
In the eyewear industry, this heritage is expressed through a distinctive way of creating products where design, technical mastery, and artisanal know-how come together.

— Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of mastery

Noun

Agent tech stack Other in-demand skills related to the AI build-out involve understanding tools and techniques that give agents the ability to get things done.

— Hugh Son, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026
Developed in partnership with Discovery Education, a cross-curricular supplemental resource, the program equips students with practical clothing repair and customization skills, from sewing a button to patching a hole or tailoring a hem.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of skills

Noun

But our latest research shows how these tombs – built for Etruscans of higher socioeconomic and political status—were designed to offer sophisticated sensory experiences.

— Jacqueline Ortoleva, Scientific American, 3 Oct. 2026
The service is intended to provide a more streamlined travel experience, including access to private terminals rather than crowded commercial airport facilities.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of experience

Noun

Their expertise helps prevent costly complications and improves the efficiency of our health-care system.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
There is incredible demand, huge capital requirements, and there are far fewer people who have the expertise in order to invest and help pull those projects off of the ground.

— Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of expertise

Noun

The company has already told Dentistry IQ the issue was isolated to one batch, which gives it cover to resume without acknowledging a design flaw.

— Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026
Dyson eventually explained that one production batch of jet tubes had a manufacturing issue that created the potential for water seepage, affecting what the company called a small number of products, per Dentistry IQ.

— Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of IQ

Noun

The command later determined that the North violated the armistice agreement that ended fighting in the 1950-53 Korean War.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
The suspect ignored the commands, according to police, and instead got back in his car and drove toward Interstate 30.

— Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of command

Browse Nearby Words

proficiencies

proficiency

proficient

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Style

“Proficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proficiency. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of proficiency

noun

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