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
Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2026
Data from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education reveals fewer than half of third graders are proficient readers, falling 14 percentage points below 2019 levels.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 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
Personal footage mingles with official releases from state militaries that are now proficient in the language of the internet.
—Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2026
Data from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education reveals fewer than half of third graders are proficient readers, falling 14 percentage points below 2019 levels.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 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 participants range from marine and freshwater biologists and other scientists to highly skilled recreational divers and documentary filmmakers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Iowa coach Ben McCollum said the first- and second-round showing for the conference speaks to its amount of skilled players and experienced coaches.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Elder law experts warn that the best protection against uncertainty, exploitation or government infringement of your independence is to plan ahead, early and often.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
For its 310 students and more than 80 children from infants to toddlers, Greenland represents a second chance at school that is free from stigma and, experts say, a model for how young mothers can be reintegrated into education.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But the Lakers have become adept at bend-but-don’t-break basketball.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
-
At 6-foot, 187 pounds, Delane allowed just 14 receptions for 165 yards in his senior season and has adept abilities playing in a man or zone scheme.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Great science-fiction writers, almost by definition, are masters of cognitive estrangement.—
Stephanie Burt,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Insider experiences include a tour of a private palazzo by a prince no less, a painting class inspired by Caravaggio, and a master class in mixing the perfect aperitivo by resident masters.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Newport’s skillful direction drives the more than 3½-hour play (including two intermissions), making every minute count.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Finnish native Margareta Martin brought enthusiasm and skillful organizing following a move to Atlanta, a dynamic that helped establish a wide variety of cultural, business, artistic and culinary links between the Nordic world and here.—
Mark Woolsey,
AJC.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
While the 1930s and 1940s did see some instances of carnival poking fun at the tyranny of the Nazi regime (none of which, it should be noted, went unpunished), Birdsall and other scholars maintain that the festival was, first and foremost, an avenue for propaganda.—
Tim Brinkhof,
JSTOR Daily,
1 Apr. 2026
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But while the Supreme Court has historically been deferential to presidents on immigration issues, defining who is an American by birth is different, according to longtime immigration law scholar Stephen Yale-Loehr.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But a northern climate, stringent building codes, and the gauntlet of public review shouldn’t exclude the immense trove of experienced professionals who have worked in big, dense cities that are more similar to than different from ours.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
1 Apr. 2026
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One qualitative study found women were more likely to retire early because of fatigue, with lasting consequences for retirement income and for workplaces losing experienced people at their peak.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Also appearing on the album are American composer Elliot Cole on synthesizer, French composer Benoit Rolland on electro-acoustics and Bangladeshi tabla virtuoso Mir Naqibul Islam.—
Arts Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
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The popular hits will be performed by a 20-piece orchestra, with arrangements written by Juilliard cello virtuoso Dave Eggar and conductor Chuck Palmer.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Proficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proficient. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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