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
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Recent Examples of proficient
Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 29 Oct. 2025
The Panthers’ passing offense isn’t proficient enough to stay consistently competitive with competent opponents when Carolina gets down big.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2025
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
Over 60% of third graders did not score proficient on the state's 2025 M-STEP assessment.
—Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 29 Oct. 2025
The Panthers’ passing offense isn’t proficient enough to stay consistently competitive with competent opponents when Carolina gets down big.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2025
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
-
Snider navigates the complex intersections of addiction with class, sexuality, masculinity, and family bonds with skilled generosity in this powerful fourth collection.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The older de Ridder, who turns 23 in January, is originally from Belgium and was one of the best young players in the tough Spanish ACB last season as a skilled four who can defend, move without the ball and knock down shots from the perimeter.—
Sam Vecenie,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The increase — up from 1 in 36 children in 2020 — continues a long-term trend that experts have largely attributed to better understanding of and screening for the condition.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
-
For something more immersive, the resort brings in expert wellness practitioners for week-long retreats.—
Jacqui Gifford,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Radiolarians are adept at distilling silica, a form of quartz, from seawater, a process known as biomineralization.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
-
That Hedda has forged such a life for herself is a testament to her wiles — no one is more adept at delivering acidic barbs cloaked by a friendly hand on the shoulder.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Cowley graduated in 1920, and for a year and a half lived an adventurous, impecunious Grub Street life in New York, before a fellowship took him, now married, back to France for a master’s in French.—
Michael Gorra,
The Atlantic,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Rosewood Amsterdam, for example, is an art gallery in its own right, with an expansive collection of more than 1,000 artworks that spotlight both new-generation talent and Dutch masters.—
Tianwei Zhang,
Footwear News,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Kayla Poirier didn’t get the glory that comes associated with scoring a goal, but without a couple skillful touches by the senior, Mahtomedi would no longer have a chance to repeat as state champions.—
Mike Cook,
Twin Cities,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The skillful craftsmanship of the artists is amazing, and the story is also great.—
Billboard Japan,
Billboard,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Amenabar seems to root his screenplay on conjectures about the writer’s sexuality, which many scholars consider latterday projection.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Some scholars suggested Trump may be referring to testing weapons delivery systems, not the warheads themselves.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But Kroos retired from all football in summer 2024, and there were concerns at the club this off-season that the squad lacks such experienced heads, after Modric (and fellow long-serving squad member Lucas Vazquez) also left.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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Wes Ostgaard, the hiker who summoned rescuers after finding Ortiz's body, told USA TODAY that the extreme conditions on the mountain that day could have tripped up even the most experienced climbers.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Palamides, as a physical-comedy virtuoso, loves mess—there’s a splash zone near the front, with audience members wearing plastic ponchos.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
17 Oct. 2025
-
D’Angelo was raised in a deeply religious Pentecostal family and got his musical start in the church, becoming a virtuoso at several instruments.—
Andrew R. Chow,
Time,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Proficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proficient. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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