Definition of proficiencynext
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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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 Broward was down slightly for geometry tests, from 60% proficiency to 59%, while scores in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach County were both up. Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026 Several school districts in and near Fort Worth are below the state average in reading proficiency rates, according to data from the Fort Worth Education Partnership. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026 The case that the justices decided not to take up was brought by the immigrant advocacy group Arkansas United, which has provided Spanish-language interpreters at polling sites to assist voters with limited English proficiency. Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 22 June 2026 The Department of Transportation’s policies have been focused primarily on enforcing English language proficiency among truck drivers and closing commercial driver’s license (CDL) schools if their training and safety standards aren’t up to speed. Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for proficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proficiency
Noun
  • Over 108,000 entries from 160 countries were submitted, with seven photographers ultimately recognized for their technical mastery, originality, and conceptual strength.
    Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Head coach Luis de la Fuente’s team—built around players Rodri, Lamine Yamal, and Pedri—is known for its mastery of possession play and attractive passing.
    Tushaar Kuthiala, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • State test scores for the 2025-26 school year are coming back, and Georgia public schools are part of a national pattern of declining reading and math skills.
    Taylor Carney, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
  • The Rangers are adding Espinal for his valuable defensive versatility and contact skills, aiming to bolster their infield depth.
    Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Noun
  • For full daily and monthly horoscopes as well as expert readings, see our full Horoscopes experience.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • The technology still has to prove itself on safety, but the ride experience now counts too.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • Elsewhere, the conversation drifts into questions about public-records databases, investigative reporting, grant applications, and the ways institutions classify professional expertise.
    Rhoda Feng, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • But Upchurch, with more than two decades of Medicare expertise, doesn't blame beneficiaries for not paying attention or for assuming Wellcare's messages were bogus.
    Susan Jaffe, NPR, 6 July 2026
Noun
  • Karaban said the most underrated part of his game is his basketball IQ.
    Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2026
  • When psychologists talk about exceptional intelligence, the conversation almost always gravitates toward IQ.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
Noun
  • For a stable, repo-local script, that critique holds, and wrapping every small command in a gateway adds surface area no one needs.
    Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
  • Voice writers repeat every word spoken in court along with a sequence of formatting commands to voice recognition software.
    Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Proficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proficiency. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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