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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
The England Under-17 international is a proficient finisher and a traditional striker — a profile of player Villa’s recruitment team were looking to fill within his age group. Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025 In 2024, only 31% of U.S. fourth grade students were proficient or above in reading, according to the NAEP, while 40% were below basic. Harry Anthony Patrinos, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2025 Like Salt Typhoon, this group is highly proficient in cloud exploitation, using lateral movement techniques to transition from on-premises to cloud environments, maintain persistence and rapidly exfiltrate data. Chris McHenry, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025 Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 Superintendent Theresa Plascencia is paid $345,000 a year, presiding over schools where just 16% of students are proficient in reading. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for proficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proficient
Adjective
  • This three-hour experience is led by a skilled guide who will keep you safe, take photographs, and give you detailed information about the bridge and surrounding areas along the way.
    Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • On Via Montenapoleone, the store’s façade features arched windows crafted by skilled Murano glassmaker Venini.
    Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Slot shares this staple of Tottenham counterpart Ange Postecoglou’s attacking principles, with Porro adept at tucking inside to disrupt the opposition shape.
    Andy Jones, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
  • The result is that just these English words, representing just this original document, make for a new and somewhat undiscovered book, even to Marxist adepts.
    Benjamin Kunkel, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Elegant materials, bespoke furnishings, skillful layering of textures, and eye-catching lighting are all hallmarks of Hogarty’s soulful spaces, and the firm seeks to create an emotional response with its polished yet comfortable aesthetic.
    Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 15 Apr. 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • The experts predict the economy will nearly stall in 2025, growing 0.8%, down from their projection of 1.7% just last month, according to the average estimate of 46 economists surveyed by Wolters Kluwer Blue Chip Economic Indicators on April 4 and April 7.
    John Bacon, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2025
  • All the fashion experts—including Hailey Bieber—have surrendered to their charm.
    Isabel Serra, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • An estimated 14% of those who took the highest dose experienced vomiting, while 16% and 26% had nausea and diarrhea, respectively.
    Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Be open and willing to start conversations with more experienced employees.
    Julia Sullivan, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • According to a press statement from the HBCU, graduates from the university’s 14 schools and colleges this year will be among the largest graduating classes in the institution’s history to receive bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in various disciplines.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The images feature the brand’s ready-to-wear, custom and bespoke suits, the latter of which are available by appointment with the company’s master tailor.
    Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Møller had an initial career as a literary scholar, then spent many years as a politician, and is now back to writing.
    Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Wine scholars among us will recognize this as a mix of red and white grapes, with white allowed only in very small amounts.
    Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 18 Apr. 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 24 Apr. 2025.

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