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

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

The district cited students’ declining math and English language arts proficiency and a drop-off in the number of graduates attending college — despite Oakland Unified Office of Charter Schools staff recommending renewal. — Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 19 July 2026