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 expert
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of proficient
Jill Stegman, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
While that’s a worthy goal, nobody who isn’t already proficient will learn the language by Friday morning.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026
Arlyssa D. Becenti, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Hispanic kids were likewise lagging the state average, 37% proficient in English and 30% in mathematics.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proficient
Adjective
On the National Assessment of Educational Progress exam, only 29% of California 4th-graders and 25% of 8th-graders scored proficient in reading and math.
—Jill Stegman, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
While that’s a worthy goal, nobody who isn’t already proficient will learn the language by Friday morning.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
The Ganado Unified School District saw a 159 percent increase in students who tested proficient.
—Arlyssa D. Becenti, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Hispanic kids were likewise lagging the state average, 37% proficient in English and 30% in mathematics.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proficient
Adjective
-
The judge said competent attorneys need to adhere to court evidence rules and be skilled tacticians.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Iowa’s 15 community colleges could offer bachelor’s degrees in high-demand workforce areas, such as health care, advanced manufacturing and skilled trades.—
Stephen Gruber-Miller,
Des Moines Register,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The repeal eliminates all greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars and trucks and could unleash a broader undoing of climate regulations on stationary sources such as power plants and oil and gas facilities, experts say.—
MATTHEW DALY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Lanier argued the filters could harm teens’ perceptions of themselves, saying experts consulted by Meta reached that same conclusion.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Takeaway With Generation Alpha, expect to see a new group of people who are more accepting of differences, more socially adept, tech-savvy, and perhaps more cognizant of complex issues like climate change.—
Sarah Cottrell,
Parents,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Benge isn’t particularly speedy, but fast enough to play center field, and adept enough in his routes and tracking to play center as well.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
They were carved with patriotic love by a Texas sculptor who studied in Paris under a French modern master and envisioned as the polished centerpieces of a $10 million park, but now sit in a Virginia field as an offbeat, reservations-only, roadside tourist draw.—
Danielle Paquette The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
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Rick likens his son’s interactions with the media to those of Bill Belichick, the legendary football coach and master of the monosyllabic press conference.—
Tom Kludt,
Vanity Fair,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Mercedes assures that its Ludwigsfelde employees have undergone extensive training on the processes to ensure the most skillful RV preparation.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Elegant materials, bespoke furnishings, skillful layering of textures, and eye-catching lighting are all hallmarks of Hogarty’s soulful spaces, and the firm seeks to create an emotional response with its polished yet comfortable aesthetic.—
Elizabeth Stamp,
Architectural Digest,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Kaitlyn Purcell is a Dene artist, writer, and postdoctoral scholar (University of Calgary).—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
18 Feb. 2026
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Using this type of design, scholars found little migration response among millionaires after New Jersey raised top tax rates, which generated substantial revenue.—
Christopher Marquis,
Time,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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When the Aztecs returned for preseason drills this year, the four sophomores were also the four most experienced returning Aztecs on the roster.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Despite having the latest safety gear and being in a group of other experienced riders, as well as the assistance of an off-duty Truckee fire department medic, who performed CPR, Thomason did not survive.—
Jack Dolan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Beside me stood Laura, our trumpet virtuoso, a freshman who played with silky sophistication.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Just like any virtuoso, Greenberg needs a stage.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Proficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proficient. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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