1
as in mastery
a highly developed skill in or knowledge of something surprised by his proficiency at the game after only the briefest explanation of the rules

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2
as in skills
knowledge gained by actually doing or living through something acquired proficiency at golf through long hours of practice

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of proficiency Fair enough, but what are the specific proficiency goals for math and English? Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2025 Being labeled as an English learner affords a student additional resources partly subsidized by additional state funding that is meant to help the student get reclassified to fluent English proficiency status. Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 7 May 2025 Bournemouth had been preparing for Torres to start and knowing the Spain defender’s proficiency in possession, Iraola allowed Konsa to have the first pass before pressing. Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 14 May 2025 Languages: English, Portuguese and Spanish, limited proficiency in Chinese and French. Pat Maio, Oc Register, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for proficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proficiency
Noun
  • Edwards showed a mastery of clutch time that had eluded him in the regular season.
    Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 30 May 2025
  • That’s why data fluency for leaders is more essential than technical mastery.
    Jani Hirvonen, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • Rather, let your achievements and skills be the standout feature of your resume, not the design.
    Sho Dewan, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
  • Employers want to see proof of your skills, not just hear about them.
    Sho Dewan, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • To have experiences with other people that were one of a kind and completely exciting and unique and engaging and revealing.
    Peter White, Deadline, 2 June 2025
  • Write a new chapter for yourself; enjoy exciting travel experiences ahead.
    Essence, Essence, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • In fact, small businesses may stand to benefit even more from external expertise, especially when resources, time, and experience are limited.
    AllBusiness, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
  • The city is often criticized for lacking the depth of liquidity and industry expertise from investment analysts to accommodate such transactions.
    Ryan Browne, CNBC, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • More recently, critics have claimed that fluoridation lowers IQ.
    Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 30 May 2025
  • Studies have consistently found that children who learn music are more likely to have increased IQ scores and better language development.
    Stefan Falk, CNBC, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • The incident's central command constantly receives progress reports from firefighters on the ground.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2025
  • Even among other celebrity graves, Morrison’s commands another level of attention in Père Lachaise, a cemetery of 70,000 plots spread over more than 100 acres in Paris’ 20th arrondissement.
    Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Proficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proficiency. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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