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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 During her time there, the district's eighth-grade reading proficiency scores increased 22.2%, and the eighth-grade math proficiency scores increased 14.5%. Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 15 July 2025 This literacy coach model was inspired by Mississippi’s statewide initiative that helped make the state's reading proficiency improve from 49th to 21st in the nation. Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 14 July 2025 Walmart’s continued reign in retail has been supported by its growing proficiency in bridging digital and physical commerce. Joe Chura, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2025 The first Black principal in that town, he is credited with reducing arrests, suspensions, and disciplinary actions and increasing academic proficiency. Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 12 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for proficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proficiency
Noun
  • Real leadership is knowing that momentum, not mastery, is the path forward.
    Erin Stafford, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
  • The Orioles’ bullpen imploded and the bats went ice cold to squander Rogers’ mastery in a 6-0 loss to the Miami Marlins that ended Baltimore’s three-game winning streak.
    Jacob Calvin Meyer, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 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
  • Overall, the new-gen Joy-Cons are solid improvements over the last, refining the play experience for Nintendo's latest hardware.
    Matt Kamen, Wired News, 20 July 2025
  • The experience is worth it The Puerto Rican economy, historically tied to the ups and downs of the U.S. economy, rarely grows on its own.
    Wilson Santiago Burgos, USA Today, 20 July 2025
Noun
  • All of those fired from the office were civil service employees with years of expertise in the region.
    Tom Bowman, NPR, 24 July 2025
  • Parker alleged unclear leadership roles and underuse of staff expertise and recommended downsizing the commission from 25 to 13 members.
    Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2025
Noun
  • Given that Caddy now also makes an all-electric Escalade IQ that puts out 750 hp and 785 lb-ft in standard form, could a V-Series version making 1,000 ponies be next?
    Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 15 July 2025
  • How players are displaying uncharacteristically low IQ's on defense.
    Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 July 2025
Noun
  • The incident's central command constantly receives progress reports from firefighters on the ground.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 20 July 2025
  • Ionescu’s command of the Starry ball (worth three points) was the separator.
    James Boyd, New York Times, 19 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Proficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proficiency. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on proficiency

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!