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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
Also impacted are the English Language Acquisition Grant, which helps students become proficient in English, and the Migrant Education grant supporting the needs of immigrant children. Amalia Huot-Marchand, The Hill, 11 July 2025 The Dodgers have become proficient at overcoming injuries with unprecedented roster depth and are close to getting to the other side of a vexing issue once again. Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 5 July 2025 The ninth member, an at-large-commissioner, must have proficient knowledge of boater safety protocols, according to the bill introduced by Sens. Vickie Sawyer and Ted Alexander. Damenica Ellis july 4, Charlotte Observer, 4 July 2025 Read more to see how working with one additional student at a time in every classroom, the goal is to have 71% of Tennessee third graders proficient in reading by 2030 versus 41% today. David Plazas, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for proficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proficient
Adjective
  • While advanced data analytics can flag some of these anomalies, a skilled negotiator with full market visibility can go deeper.
    Eric Steele, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • Despite being made by skilled artisans on the Sicilian coast and designed in Sydney, the U.S. market is already one of its main drivers, its founder and interior designer Isabella Wilde said.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • The digital adept also had a nearly eight-year stretch at Teen Vogue.
    Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
  • 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
Adjective
  • But despite those skillful trappings, the story soon feels ponderous.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 July 2025
  • And there was also skillful attention to the right marketing and distribution details.
    Andrew Tobias, Vulture, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • Our shopping experts are selecting the best Prime Day deals on Dyson vacuums, Apple AirPods, Kendra Scott jewelry, and other best-selling products across various categories.
    Isabel Garcia, People.com, 9 July 2025
  • Original cast members included food and wine expert Antoni Porowski, design chief Bobby Berk, grooming guru Jonathan Van Ness, culture and lifestyle specialist Karamo Brown and fashion connoisseur Tan France.
    Ellise Shafer, Variety, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • Its precision and skill matched that of experienced surgeons.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 July 2025
  • That type of resiliency is an admirable trait that McDaniel needs to find a way to carry over to the 2025 Dolphins, which are younger, less experienced, and has a leadership void to fill.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • Upper Buffalo Land Becomes Wilderness Area Tom Foti is a master botanist and former ecologist/research chief at the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 6 July 2025
  • Learn how to meal prep like a pro, create quick and nutritious grab-and-go options, and master time-saving hacks that keep you energized without the morning chaos.
    Essence, Essence, 6 July 2025
Noun
  • In addition to being a Sachs scholar, she was named a Gates Scholarship winner — a prestigious award from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
    Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 12 July 2025
  • Robert Osborn, an early thinker on lawn tennis, was also a religious scholar.
    Sam Knight, New Yorker, 12 July 2025
Noun
  • He’s been a glamorous Visual Kei rock star, a classical composer, a virtuoso behind the drum kit, a producer and label owner and entrepreneur, and now, more than ever, an impresario.
    Steve Appleford, Variety, 17 June 2025
  • Little Feat, the archetypal ’70s band originally formed by Lowell George — a guitar virtuoso fired from the Mothers of Invention by Frank Zappa — has survived years of breakups, drug problems and even George’s untimely death in 1979.
    Dave Brooks, Billboard, 3 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Proficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proficient. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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