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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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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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 Growth in math proficiency was similar, said Horne. Arlyssa D. Becenti, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025 At Jie Ming Mandarin Immersion Academy, which had some of the highest MCA proficiency rates in the district this year, Principal Bobbie Johnson said data is an important part of her school’s success from teachers’ first day. Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2025 At Ballard High School in Louisville, where just 31 percent of roughly 2,000 students meet state reading proficiency standards, 891 books were checked out in August, compared to 533 last year — an increase of 67 percent. Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025 The report states that Miami must ensure that all students achieve proficiency in math and English Language Arts early, or else risk stark declines. Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for proficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proficiency
Noun
  • But Green’s never been played off the floor at Golden State, despite just being a career 32-percent shooter from deep, because of his mastery of short-roll passing.
    David Aldridge, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • This month invites you into the realms of emotional mastery and deep inner work.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Culinary skills aside, he’s proven a quick study finding who the power brokers are here and has been working closely with them.
    Carol Cain, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Ever since, Swifties and bakers alike have embraced the singer's sourdough skills.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The two-hour experience includes bourbon samples, a cocktail, and the use of paranormal investigation tools.
    Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Dale has state government, education, radio and television experience as well.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Securities litigation expertise to frame loss causation and materiality arguments.
    Tim Reynolds, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Everyday investors should avoid trading Apple stock like that, Jim said, given the expertise required to time the market correctly on the way out and on the way back in — not to mention any capital gains taxes.
    Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The 24th pick out of Colorado State provided some encouragement with a strong summer-league performance, where his plus IQ and non-scoring contributions (rebounding, passing, defending) were as expected, while his shooting was a pleasant surprise.
    John Hollinger, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The logo is quite dated, as it was used in those days where having an orange face was not necessarily a sign of low IQ.
    Kevin Cusick, Twin Cities, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The incident's central command constantly receives progress reports from firefighters on the ground.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2025
  • In this campaign, the attackers improved the trick by hiding the malicious command behind long strings of spaces, so only the fake file path is visible to the victim.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Proficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proficiency. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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