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proficient

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word proficient distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of proficient are adept, expert, skilled, and skillful. While all these words mean "having great knowledge and experience in a trade or profession," proficient implies a thorough competence derived from training and practice.

proficient in translating foreign languages

When might adept be a better fit than proficient?

In some situations, the words adept and proficient are roughly equivalent. However, adept implies special aptitude as well as proficiency.

adept at doing long division

When could expert be used to replace proficient?

The words expert and proficient can be used in similar contexts, but expert implies extraordinary proficiency and often connotes knowledge as well as technical skill.

expert in the evaluation of wines

In what contexts can skilled take the place of proficient?

The synonyms skilled and proficient are sometimes interchangeable, but skilled stresses mastery of technique.

a skilled surgeon

When is it sensible to use skillful instead of proficient?

While the synonyms skillful and proficient are close in meaning, skillful implies individual dexterity in execution or performance.

skillful drivers

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 proficient
Adjective
No single shooter makes a team that proficient from deep — and lo and behold, six Tigers have made at least 20 3s this season at a 36 percent clip or better. Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 25 Feb. 2025 Alas, while the comics themselves have prominence on-screen in their static form, the doc remains a proficient, engaging portrait, but an unadventurous one. Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 25 Feb. 2025 Six in 10 fourth graders aren't proficient in math, and seven in 10 can't read at the 4th grade level. Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025 But the most recent results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress paint a less promising picture with fourth grade reading at just 31% proficient and eighth grade math at 37%. Jim Cowen, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for proficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proficient
Adjective
  • However, even the most skilled clinicians can struggle if the technology is difficult to use.
    Jiang Li, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • There will be beverages from New Belgium Brewery; a market featuring the wares of DTL’s skilled staff and teachers; tool demonstrations; and a raffle.
    John Wenzel, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The younger Aes Sedai adept is busy learning the ways of walking in Tel’aran’rhiod, the dreamworld overlaid atop the real one and parallel to the regular, non-magical dreams most people experience.
    Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Perhaps Sheridan’s greatest magic trick occurs on Landman, where the adept acting of Billy Bob Thornton and Jon Hamm make the case that Thornton’s oil-field fixer and Hamm’s billionaire are the true American martyrs.
    Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Hiring managers must learn to distinguish between misuse and skillful application to capture a candidate’s ability to tackle real-world challenges.
    Bing Yu Yap, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • He is known for his skillful wedge game and a booming drive, but at Memorial Park, his whole game coalesced perfectly.
    Ben Morse, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Self-love and relationship expert Iryna Wood is redefining romance with an innovative mobile app that puts emotional awareness at the forefront.
    Emma Kershaw, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • It’s staffed by a team of Test Kitchen Professionals with deep expertise in recipe development, from pastry chefs and grilling experts to nutritionists and dietitians.
    Josh Miller, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Back then, there were more established and experienced people by his side.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025
  • This is a huge help to novice and experienced riders who wish to ease up on the highways and trails.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Degree requirement: bachelor’s degree in information technology, engineering, computer science or business management; preference for MBA or a master’s degree in technology management.
    Terina Allen, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
  • What makes a painting by a master so much better than a really good fake?
    The Editors of ARTnews, ARTnews.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Legal scholars have said there is little legal precedent for Trump's war on Big Law, which has created a chilling effect across the legal community, and most will certainly have a chilling effect on his opponents who will need legal representation against him.
    Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 29 Mar. 2025
  • On top of that, the Trump administration has detained some international scholars who have expressed support for Palestinian causes or criticized Israel over the war in Gaza.
    Tinbete Ermyas, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • From there, the brothers rope in a boozy harmonica virtuoso named Delta Slim (Delroy Lindo), who only accepts the gig after the brothers agree to pay him in Irish beer.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Throughout, he’s depicted as an anxious man with big feelings, a musical virtuoso whose shame, self-esteem and addiction issues were spawned as a young child bearing witness to domestic disputes.
    Derek Scancarelli, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Proficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proficient. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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