1
as in technical
having or showing trained ability in a particular field of knowledge
Many of the applicants lacked the professional experience the job required. She had always dreamed of becoming a professional boxer.
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2
as in civil
in a serious and polite manner
She found his presentation informative and his delivery quite professional. Employees were expected to act in a professional manner when dealing with potential customers.
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as in specialist
a person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field
If you want the job done right, you really should hire a professional.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of professional
Cori Sears, The Spruce, 9 May 2026
The watch is suitable both for the beginner trying to understand the foundation of manual camera settings and the professional wanting to pare down the bulk of excessive camera gear.
—Shirl Leigh
may 09, New Atlas, 9 May 2026
Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026
There Aren’t Enough People Doing the Work A large number of experienced nurses are nearing the end of their careers, and new professionals are still working their way in.
—Felysha Walker
may 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for professional
Adjective
Like another notorious spreading edible, mint, professional gardeners recommend planting horseradish in a container to prevent it from taking over your whole garden.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 9 May 2026
The watch is suitable both for the beginner trying to understand the foundation of manual camera settings and the professional wanting to pare down the bulk of excessive camera gear.
—Shirl Leigh
may 09, New Atlas, 9 May 2026
Noun
Professional builders will also compete for awards based on craftsmanship and design judged by 20 industry professionals.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026
There Aren’t Enough People Doing the Work A large number of experienced nurses are nearing the end of their careers, and new professionals are still working their way in.
—Felysha Walker
may 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for professional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for professional
Adjective
-
All that matters at this reservation-only pizzeria is the crust, a technical marvel of puff, bulge and scorch.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
My father’s clients were loyal and had become close friends over the years, but my mother knew little about the technical side of accounting or tax preparation.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
The strategy was highly effective, causing power rationing in the capital and fomenting civil chaos.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
10 May 2026
-
According to a letter sent by the Dutch foreign and health ministers to parliament late Friday, Spain has activated the EU civil protection mechanism for a medical evacuation plane equipped for infectious diseases to be on standby in case anyone on the ship becomes ill.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
These sorts of inquiries are obscure, specialist, niche, at the edge.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
-
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.—
Ryan Brennan
May 12,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
San Diego’s defense, life sciences and technology industries depend on highly skilled professionals who come here and contribute.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
For anything beyond a quick fix, working with a skilled pro can help ensure the job is done right—saving you time, stress and often money in the long run.—
Angie Hicks,
Boston Herald,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
The film got an A- CinemaScore, respectable critic reviews, and theaters themselves helped activate their audiences.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
4 May 2026
-
Gustafsson’s game isn't about his offense despite having some elements (above-average skating and respectable handling for a big man).—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Lonnie Ali, the boxer's wife and co-founder of the Ali Center, is an executive producer and consultant on the project due out later this year.—
Wendy Naugle,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
-
During the meeting, Elizabeth Peterson-Gower, a land use consultant representing the owner and applicant Dome Center LLC, was asked if there was a timeline for reopening the theaters.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
The 17 Americans aboard the MV Hondius are expected to be flown to the United States and monitored at the National Quarantine Unit at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, a specialized facility for highly hazardous communicable diseases.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
10 May 2026
-
However, there are some more longer-lasting specialized options out there that can last up to 12 weeks and even up to 8 months.—
Jessie Quinn,
USA Today,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
Confirm details in writing early, keep communication brief and businesslike, and build in flexibility where possible.—
Rebecca L. Palmer,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 May 2026
-
The Hurricanes wiped the floor with the Ottawa Senators in businesslike fashion in four straight games in the first round, were the top team in the Eastern Conference in the regular season with 113 points and have regularly made deep playoff runs under unparalleled coach Rod Brind’Amour.—
Kevin Kurz,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Professional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/professional. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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