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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 The students make progress toward nearing proficiency during elementary and middle school. — Francesca Pinney, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026 Researchers at Yale University found that Spanish learners using Babbel for about 15 hours improved their oral proficiency by 100% in three months. — Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2026 This includes removing 110 CDL schools associated with more than 5,000 drivers who failed English-language proficiency tests. — Nicole Russell, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 For years, the education establishment — teachers, administrators and school boards — blamed a lack of adequate financing for California’s embarrassingly low levels of proficiency. — Dan Walters, Oc Register, 31 Aug. 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
  • By contrast, a human child typically begins to grasp language by their first birthday and achieves fluent mastery by hearing only 10 million to 30 million words.
    — Kelly Huang, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026
  • By exhibiting and then dominating them in the arena, Rome was symbolically asserting its mastery over nature itself.
    — Roberto Prieto, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of mastery
Noun
  • While the 5-foot-9 McQuillan got to show off her powerful hitting skills to the crowd, she actually was recruited by UConn as a libero.
    — Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Similarly, behavioral assessments also shed light on potential weaknesses, such as poor communication skills or a tendency to avoid conflict, which can be addressed proactively.
    — Karla Vallecillo, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of skills
Noun
  • Leo July 23 – August 22 A personal experience could become useful material for something creative.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Berens brings more than 15 years of experience spanning business development, e-commerce, digital marketing and omnichannel growth.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of experience
Noun
  • Earn media coverage, contribute expertise to relevant conversations, keep company information current and make sure important developments are publicly accessible.
    — Evan Nierman, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Hoover, however, said smaller skilled traders could still retain an edge in niche markets, as the sheer breadth of contracts allows traders to develop highly specialized expertise and even become market makers.
    — Matthew Tan, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of expertise
Noun
  • Kvaratskhelia nods in agreement, praising Ruiz’s football IQ.
    — Tom Burrows, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • On personal autonomy and Super Cruise How GM plans to introduce eyes-off highway driving in the Cadillac Escalade IQ in 2028, building on Super Cruise’s current hands-free, eyes-on capability.
    — Fortune Editors, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of IQ
Noun
  • The Big Ten added live audio and video from its replay review command center this season, but only for select Friday games.
    — Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Instead of waiting for that person to issue a command, OlloNi could approach and initiate an interaction.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of command

Browse Nearby Words

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 20 Sep. 2026.

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