as in skilled
having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor
she is quite proficient at computer repair a proficient rendition of a difficult piano piece
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in adept
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field
an urgent call by the state department for proficients in Arabic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of proficient
Jordan Bruneau, Oc Register, 17 June 2025
Over the years, Butler has become proficient at playing exceptional Average Joes: rough-hewn, relatable Everymen thrust into extraordinary circumstances that require dramatic feats of skill and bravery.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 June 2025
Between 2021 and 2024, the percentage of Nebraska’s third grade students with disabilities who were proficient in math increased from 18% to 29%.
—Jackie Mader, Christian Science Monitor, 9 June 2025
In 2023, 35% of public school students were proficient in reading, compared to just 22% of scholarship recipients.
—Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for proficient
Adjective
According to the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress, less than one-third of 8th-grade students nationwide are proficient in reading and math.
—Jordan Bruneau, Oc Register, 17 June 2025
Over the years, Butler has become proficient at playing exceptional Average Joes: rough-hewn, relatable Everymen thrust into extraordinary circumstances that require dramatic feats of skill and bravery.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 June 2025
Between 2021 and 2024, the percentage of Nebraska’s third grade students with disabilities who were proficient in math increased from 18% to 29%.
—Jackie Mader, Christian Science Monitor, 9 June 2025
In 2023, 35% of public school students were proficient in reading, compared to just 22% of scholarship recipients.
—Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for proficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proficient
Adjective
-
In the BofA survey, 54% of the analysts said issues finding skilled workers would be a significant impediment for companies.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
27 June 2025
-
The necessary conditions are in place: computational power, broad access to distribution channels, a growing pool of skilled talent and rising global demand.—
Vlad Panin,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
Slot shares this staple of Tottenham counterpart Ange Postecoglou’s attacking principles, with Porro adept at tucking inside to disrupt the opposition shape.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
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The result is that just these English words, representing just this original document, make for a new and somewhat undiscovered book, even to Marxist adepts.—
Benjamin Kunkel,
Harpers Magazine,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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That compromise seemed either an example of the military’s skillful navigation of a polarizing topic—the naming of military posts and ships—or trolling.—
Anna Mulrine Grobe,
Christian Science Monitor,
13 June 2025
-
Love, the film suggests, has always been a strategic, material affair, a matter of skillful hunting and gathering.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
Noun
-
There are a few items our experts say are acceptable to hang up or place on a drying rack to dry naturally instead of tossing in the dryer.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
27 June 2025
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An in-house team of economic experts at Anthropic plan to award 20 to 50 global research grants of up to $50,000 each, and provide free access to Anthropic’s AI products to assist in the analysis.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
Today someone older or more experienced might have advice for you.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
27 June 2025
-
When unusual circumstances arise, experienced loan officers should make the calls.—
Ashish Garg,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
Noun
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The Skokie native works at Google and recently graduated from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management with a master’s degree in business administration, according to her campaign.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
24 June 2025
-
Twelve percent have master’s degrees or higher, compared with 14% nationally.—
Jeff A. Chamer,
Charlotte Observer,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
The paper was published last month by a team of computer scientists and legal scholars from Stanford, Cornell, and West Virginia University.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
20 June 2025
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But some, including legal scholars from New York University’s Brennan Center, have argued a potential loophole exists unless Congress bans using the National Guard to enforce the law in other states without gubernatorial consent.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
He’s been a glamorous Visual Kei rock star, a classical composer, a virtuoso behind the drum kit, a producer and label owner and entrepreneur, and now, more than ever, an impresario.—
Steve Appleford,
Variety,
17 June 2025
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Little Feat, the archetypal ’70s band originally formed by Lowell George — a guitar virtuoso fired from the Mothers of Invention by Frank Zappa — has survived years of breakups, drug problems and even George’s untimely death in 1979.—
Dave Brooks,
Billboard,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Proficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proficient. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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